A group dedicated to improving the town centre is intending to officially rebrand Halstead as a “floral town” to boost business and tourism.

Members of Halstead’s town team, which was set up two years ago to take part in the Portas Pilot scheme bid and now works to improve business relations in the High Street, hopes that Halstead will become known as a floral town due to its In Bloom success.

Just as neighbouring Braintree is legally recognised as a market town, the representatives of Halstead feel a similar recognition could bring people into the town and help the centre thrive.

Halstead has won the coveted gold award at the last two Britain in Bloom competitions and topped the table in the Anglia in Bloom competition for three years running.

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.