Keith Jackson, who has been chairman of Falkland in Bloom since founding it 20 years ago, has led the group to great success scooping a plethora of awards in Beautiful Scotland as well as Britain in Bloom.

To top it all, the group was also given a gold award in the prestigious Entente Florale campaign last year.

Mr Jackson said he hopes he will be able to use his experience to encourage other communitues to improve their local environment in a number of ways including supporting wildlife, recycling waste and keeping areas clean and tidy.

"I would like to encourage even more communities to improve their local environment and join the campaign either through the Neighbourhood Awards or the main campaign itself," he said.

"We will continue to make changes to the various criteria in recognition of continual awareness of best practice issues surrounding environmental care.

"Whilst the distribution and maintenance of pretty hanging baskets and bedding plants, forms part of these criteria, it is important that communities compliment this with sustainable development and biodiversity initiatives.

Mr Jackson went on: "There are many challenges ahead for Beautiful Scotland, not least of all, attempting to secure sponsorship to augment the magnificent support already given by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

"This year, however, will see a new format instigated with one of the changes ensuring that every community that enters the campaign will receive recognition of their achievements, ranging from a merit certificate or up to a gold medal for those judged to have reached an excellent standard."

During a recent event held to mark the success of Falkland in Bloom over the last 20 years, Mr Jackson paid tribute to the voluntary organisations and the work they have done to help make the village such a popular place for visitors, many from all over the world.

He also praised the work of Bob and Jean Maxwell, who produce some 50,000 plants each year, and in return members showed their appreciation by presenting Mr Jackson with an inscribed Caithness decanter.

Assisting Mr Jackson in his new role will be vice-chairman George Anderson, well-respected president of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and occasional Beechgrove Garden presenter.

The first major challenge for the Beautiful Scotland Advisory Group will be to look at the entry forms for this year's campaign — the deadline for which submissions have to be made is Friday, February 29.