So, what did those judges really think of our borough?

Local gardeners were overjoyed after the town scooped two awards in last year’s competition, which saw the borough crowned winner of the Most Improved Award. Larne Methodist Church also had reason to rejoice after receiving a Special Award for outstanding presentation.

And Larne Council recently received a copy of the official report complied by judges during the competition, which paints the town in a very positive light.

Judges said Larne had “very good quality baskets and flower towers” and added that there was a “wide mixture” of plants throughout the town’s coastal areas.

It was also noted that all areas of the town were “well cared for”, with the grounds of the Methodist Church “worthy of particular attention”.

However, it was the opinion of the judges that the planters along Circular Road were not as well utilised as other floral features in the town.

Judges also commented on the town’s cleanliness, claiming that “little litter was observed” and noting that several people were involved in litter collection during their visit. “A great sense of public pride could be felt,” the judges added.

Larne was not the only part of the borough to be praised however, as judges also spoke very highly of Glynn.

“The village was very pleasant and colourful to walk around, with very good floral displays in a large number of gardens,” said the report.

The judges also acknowledged that the grounds of the school and the rugby club were “well-maintained”, but pointed out that some of the road verges in the village had not been recently cut and were “untidy”.

It was also noted that the village was “clean and tidy and displayed a lot of residential pride”.