North West senior judge John Shepley and judge Maxine Lord were taken round the town on Monday, July 28, by volunteers from the community group.
After lunch at the ABD Centre, judges also visited where the group had developed another garden and toured Stubbylee Park.
Maxine said: “She said: “What I have seen here is the way the community works together, there are many different groups, interested parties and the council, and that is so important and it doesn’t happen everywhere.”
Starting on Irwell Terrace, the tour included a look at the brightly-coloured planters, which were being tended by the volunteers who nurse the town centre plants in their allotment.
Judge John was impressed with the work done by the community and said it created a “great impact” on the town.
He said: “I am very pleased. This is my first time judging in Bacup and I have been surprised by what I have seen.
“This is a great demonstration of what people can achieve, without you [Bacup Pride] this would not look as good.
“I have been very impressed.”
Many local businesses sported stickers announcing they were ‘rooting for Bacup Pride’ and engraved slate plaques and banners were introduced to identify the areas Bacup Pride looks after.
Before the judges arrived, volunteers, including members of Bacup Family Centre, were up early, litter picking, cleaning bus shelters and sweeping up to make sure the town could be seen at its best.
READ MORE: Garden centre steps in after hanging baskets stolen from in Bloom display
READ MORE: Ribble Valley village wins gold in national Britain in Bloom finals
Owner of 1832 Barista Wendy Baines told the judges: “Bacup Pride are doing an amazing job for our community and they are helping us as businesses because when Irwell Terrace looks so inviting, it encourages people to stop and spend in the town.”
Last year, the town won a Silver Gilt, Stubbylee Park won a gold, and Hempsteads Peace Garden won best new landscape.
Chair of Bacup Pride Pat Smith said: “Bacup Pride volunteers have put in so much hard work this year, I would personally like to thank every single one of them for putting the time and effort in.
“Our hanging baskets at Hempsteads, which had been stolen, were replaced by Marl Pits Garden Centre just in time and we were able to proudly show all our town off.
“We look forward to the results in November.”