Judges from Heart of England in Bloom visit Bridgnorth

The town has entered the Heart of England in Bloom competition, which aims to highlight the best of England's cities, towns and villages.

Bridgnorth has picked up a string of gold awards in the past and this year is in the running for an award in three categories.

Judges from the Heart of England in Bloom Awards spent yesterday afternoon touring Bridgnorth and finding out about projects in the town over the past year.

Now Bridgnorth Town Council can do little more than sit and wait for the result.

Barry Ince, Bridgnorth Town Council's outdoors and properties manager, said: "We have won golds for years now and we are hoping this year will be no different. "We were being judged in the large town category but we have also entered categories for the castle grounds and the cemetery.

"They will be judging the floral displays, community involvement, our experimental achievements and cleanliness of the town."

Volunteers have been encouraged to help spruce up the town and have been helping with activities such as gardening.

Mr Ince said: "We are always looking for more volunteers. "There's always something to do. If anyone wants to make Bridgnorth a beautiful town, they can help by volunteering.

"They can do anything from gardening to painting.

"We've had several volunteers this year. They have mostly been helping out in the castle gardens and Lavington Gardens doing some gardening work."

The judges were taken to a number of areas in the town during their visit, including the High Street, St Mary's Street, the castle grounds, St Leonard's Primary School, Doctors Lane and Lavington Gardens.

Mr Ince said: "It would mean everything to get the gold award again. "It shows not only the town council but the community has got pride in its town.

"We would like visitors to see how nice the town is and then talk about it with others.

"People have done an absolutely magnificent job this year."

Bridgnorth is one of many towns and villages being visited by judges for the Heart of England in Bloom competition.

The town has won the gold award for its flower arrangements for the past six years.

Judges were today due to visit Shrewsbury, another Shropshire town in the running for an award.

Results of the competition are expected to be revealed later this year.

The Heart of England in Bloom and the RHS It's Your Neighbourhood Awards Ceremony are held in September each year.

It is a chance for around 300 guests to come together and celebrate all the hard work of the past year.

The Heart of England in Bloom awards are expected to be held on September 14 at Warwick Castle.

For more information on the awards, visit www.heartofenglandinbloom.co.uk