IT'S blooming fantastic — Tavistock has walked away from Britain in Bloom 2014 with two prestigious accolades. After months of hard work by many local groups and authorities to 'pretty up' the town and make the high street more attractive, Tavistock has received two silver gilts from the Royal Horticultural Society. In 2013, Tavistock was entered into the pennant awards, a category introduced for BID towns, and was awarded a silver gilt. This year was the first time the town had entered the main award. Tavistock BID had been working hard with a number of community groups, including Transition Tavistock and Tidy Tavi, as well as Tavistock Town Council, to make sure the town was looking its best in time for judging back in July. So BID was delighted when the town was presented with a silver gilt in the main Sergeants Cup as well as a pennant award this month. Lisa Piper, BID manager, said how pleased BID was to receive such high ranking accolades: 'This is a seal of approval that Tavistock is a great place. Having the awards will show people that it's a nice place to visit and encourage more people to the town, and will put Tavistock at the forefront of people's minds. 'I am absolutely thrilled — the "bloom team" has been bowled over by the community spirit in Tavistock and by how much volunteering goes on. 'We are grateful for all the effort which has helped get the accolades for the town.' Tavistock town mayor Cllr Harry Smith said: 'To receive the two silver gilts in the main competition is a great honour for the town and is a result of extremely hard work from all groups involved. 'Being at the awards ceremony, it allowed us to see what others are doing and where there is room for improvement, and if we go for it next year we know what we can improve to get gold.' Devon county councillor and local resident Debo Sellis granted £4,800 out of her County Cllr Locality Budget to refurbish the town, to help with Tavistock's strive for gold in entering the Britain in Bloom competition. Cllr Sellis said: 'Once more the Tavistock community has worked together and succeeded.  'Tidy Tavy, the Lions, Rotary, Transition Tavistock, local schools, the college, Tavistock Town Council and many residents helped make this happen.  'Many hours have been spent sorting out how we could smarten up Tavistock. Devon County Council officers really stepped up to the challenge and made it happen before the judging — they were great.'