THE winner of the annual Barnsley in Bloom poster competition has been announced.

Eleven-year-old Isabella Gaze, from Wombwell Park Street Primary School, was chosen from almost 1,000 entries as this year’s winner.

Her design features a number of hand drawn flowers, including a perfect Yorkshire rose, celebrates Barnsley in Bloom’s 60th anniversary.

The infant runner up was six-year-old Ivy Thompson from Shafton Primary Academy, and the junior runner up was Lola Doyle, ten, also from Wombwell Park Street.

Mayor of Barnsley John Clarke and the mayoress Doreen also chose their favourite design alongside the winners and runners up, which was designed by nine-year-old Ava Dalton from Holy Rood Catholic Primary School.

Matt O’Neill, executive director for growth and sustainability, said: “Each year our school children pull out all of the stops when it comes to our Barnsley in Bloom competition and this year was no different as we celebrate the initiative’s 60th anniversary.

“The volume and quality of entries to the poster competition was incredible and it’s great to see children across the borough continuing to get involved with Barnsley in Bloom and everything it represents.

“I know our judging panel had their work cut out choosing a winner out of so many entries, but they felt that Isabella’s design really fulfilled the brief that was set out to celebrate our 60th anniversary.”

A celebration even will take place at the town hall on Thursday.