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Affordable homes provider Havebury Housing Partnership has been celebrating the achievements of some of its 6,000 tenants at its first Residents’ Day.

The partnership announced the winners of its Havebury in Bloom and Good Neighbour awards during the inaugural event at Great Barton Village Hall.

The gold prize for Best Garden in a Supported Scheme went to Westbourne Court in Haverhill.

Havebury resident involvement advisor Ellie Darling said: “The judges loved the attractive garden which reflects the high level of involvement from the residents. The hanging baskets and raised planters are filled with a fantastic selection of petunias, begonias, lobelia and also some vegetables - well done to all involved!”

Meanwhile, winner of Best Neighbour in a Supported Scheme went to Wally Worthington of Clare. He was nominated by Lilian Hunt who said: “Wally is such caring man, he really deserves an award.

"Although he is 88 years old, he runs errands for anyone in need and goes for prescriptions for anyone who can't get out. He is always very helpful.”

As well as the prize-giving ceremonies, the 100 visitors to the event were given a variety of information from organisations such as Age Concern and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Tips included advice on energy awareness, apprenticeships and practical skills like changing plugs.

The day culminated in Havebury’s annual general meeting, during which Sandy Norris of Haverhill was re-appointed as chairman of the tenants’ forum and Peter Woodman-Turner was elected as vice-chairman.

Havebury chief executive Karen Mayhew said: “We were very encouraged by the success of our first Residents’ Day. We hope everyone who came benefited from the information that was available, and we’d like to congratulate all the winners of Havebury in Bloom and the Good Neighbour Awards.

"It’s extremely important to recognise the achievements of our tenants and the effort they make to improve their communities.”

Havebury, which has offices in Haverhill and Bury St Edmunds, is dedicated to serving both the existing and future housing needs of people in West Suffolk and the Cambridge sub-region. A charity and not-for-profit association, it currently manages 6,000 homes.