NEWENT people have been getting ready to greet Heart of England in Bloom judges.

Judging day for the Gloucestershire Market town is this Friday, July 10, beginning a 10am.

Newent in Bloom spokesperson, Lynn Ashton said: "The theme is ‘greener streets, better lives’ and the regional judges are looking for evidence of horticultural excellence, a sustainable environment, civic pride and community involvement.

"All of Newent’s in-Bloom group are volunteers and they are busy right now sprucing up the town, together with community groups such as the Beaver Scouts, Fair Shares, Newent Air Cadets and many others."

She added: “We are grateful for a small grant from Newent town council, and because we give our time for free, all the displays which make Newent look so attractive work out at a cost to the ratepayers of about 30 pence per head of population. That’s probably the best value for money going, in terms of all the benefits this brings to Newent, especially as we’re the only town in the Forest of Dean District to enter this prestigious campaign”

The Heart of England in Bloom judges will visit The Old Shambles, Newent Lake, the arboretum, allotments, the Community School, the library garden, Community centre and the Veg-Out Zone Community Garden as well as touring the main streets to view the businesses’ displays.

The shop window competition has been sponsored by Lakeside WI on the theme of ‘country market’ and the judges will present the window winners’ prizes at 12.15pm on the day, under the Market House.

In 2014 Newent’s efforts were awarded with a silver-gilt standard by the RHS.

The results are announced in the autumn.

Volunteers are hoping to go one better this year and strike gold.

Meanwhile, Newent’s own best garden competition judging starts once the regional judging has ended, and it will continue through July.