Green-fingered residents are being urged to spruce up Maldon for this year’s In Bloom competition.

Judges will tour Maldon in June but the town council are asking residents to start prettifying their gardens and streets now in a bid to make the town blooming marvellous.

Each year, the competition sees Maldonites injecting colour into their plant pots, leading to a nomination and prize at the regional awards.

The town has picked up a silver gilt award at Anglia in Bloom for six years running, but this year it is hoped that Maldon can finally get its hands on the elusive gold.

Maldon Town Council environment officer Jennifer Eva said that no horticultural expertise is required to enter the competition, now in its 17th year - just enthusiasm and community spirit.

See this week's Standard for the full story.