Their tour of the town had to be taken in the rain, but it didn't dampen their enthusiasm for what they saw along the way.

The Royal Horticultural Society judges were undertaking a two-week whirlwind trip around the country to to find this year's winners.

Fourteen of them appraised green spaces and floral displays, communal parks and saw urban grot spots transformed as they visited the 69 towns, villages and cities taking part.

The two who came to Morpeth admitted to being impressed, but were not giving away any secrets on their overall findings.

Roger Burnett, Chair of the Britain in Bloom judges said: "The national judges were looking for excellence in floral and permanent planting, how issues surrounding conservation and recycling are being addressed, together with environmental quality. They also wanted to know how Britain in Bloom was being promoted at a local level and meeting this year's theme of Local Roots."

The RHS Local Roots Award is a special discretionary award presented to the community that best encourages activities and links between their unique local history and/or cultural diversity within their community today.

All the category winners will be revealed at Chester Race Course on September 24.

The finalists represent villages, towns and cities from 18 regions/nations UK-wide, and are awarded a Britain in Bloom Quality Award of Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze. In addition, a Category Winner award is presented to the best entry in each category. In the town category Morpeth is up against Bridgnorth, Nantwich, Enniskillen, Forres and Rustington.