Oldham's gr-eight gardens in bloom

A health and wellbeing theme to illustrate the importance of oral hygiene, sleeping well, getting active and good nutrition

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THE Mayor of Oldham Councillor Derek Heffernan visited parks staff this week to congratulate them on helping the borough to retain its prestigious North-West in Bloom best city title - for the seventh year running

And here the Chronicle takes a trip down memory lane to look at the show-stopping town centre displays - the centrepiece of each year's entry - which have been a hit with shoppers and the Royal Horticultural Society judges alike.

In 2009 - after a seven-year absence from the competition - Oldham won the award for the best town centre display.

It then went on to win the best city category for seven years in a row, scooping its latest title at the weekend.

The awards - along with three national Britain in Bloom gold certificates this year and in 2012 and 2014 - have cemented the borough's horticultural reputation.

So much so that it has now been now been nominated to take part in a "champion of champions" event next year with six other gold-winning cities, towns and villages.

Each year's entry has a different theme and is made up of a variety or projects involving schools, businesses and community groups, which focus on different parts of the borough each time.

But the most breath-taking element for many is the town centre garden which is appropriately called the WOW bed. How many do you remember?