ARMIDALE missed out on winning back-to-back honours in the NSW Tidy Towns Awards, but was given high praise for hosting the recipients over the weekend.
Minister for the Environment Robyn Parker said she was impressed during her visit to Armidale and could see why the town claimed honours last year.
“All the parks and gardens are in great condition, despite the obvious dry weather,” she said.
Small New England town Nundle was the big winner on Saturday, winning the tidiest town award, as well as a Spirit of the Bush gong.
Other NSW towns to win their respective population-based awards were Garema, Trundle, Morpeth, Toronto, East Maitland and Wagga Wagga.
It was third time lucky for Nundle, having reached the finals of the Tidy Town Awards in 2011 and 2012.