The judges are in Beverley on Wednesday July 16 and work is well underway in making sure that the town is looking blooming good for the occasion.

Last year Beverley scooped top prize in the town category of Yorkshire in Bloom, despite the devastating floods which had left parts of the town under water.

Although a major repaving and improvement scheme is currently underway in the main shopping area, the Beverley in Bloom group has ensured that the streets are still looking bright by installing floral displays throughout the town, among them huge floral towers, barrier troughs and hanging baskets.

As part of the competition, the Beverley in Bloom group works with a school to improve its planting displays and encourage young people to be good gardeners. This year the group worked with Molescroft Primary School to install colourful window boxes outside the entrance of the school.

Molescroft was also the winning school in the design-a-poster competition, in which all students from across the town were invited to take part.

The winning student will be informed when the Yorkshire in Bloom judges visit the school as part of their visit to the town and the prize, a three-tiered floral planter, already has pride of place in the school grounds.

Beverley in Bloom has also launched its Town Competition, looking for the best residential gardens, business premises, schools and community projects. Closing date for this year's judging is Friday July 11. Entry forms are available from the Town Council office in Well Lane and the Beverley Tourist Centre in Butcher Row. Judging will take place during the last two weeks of July.

Councillor Matt Snowden, the Beverley in Bloom chairman, said this year's competition will include points for effort alongside the usual elements such as quality, colour and design.

"In addition, if an entry form indicates a garden is being entered into a category that it does not truly fit, we will contact the resident or business to suggest an alternative choice," he said.

"We want to make sure as many private homes, community projects, schools and business as possible enter Beverley in Bloom this year and by slightly revising the way we carry out the town competition we hope more people will be encouraged to take part."