LESS than a year after it withdrew from the South West in Bloom competition, Chippenham Town Council has also pulled out of Britain in Bloom, blaming the county council for a lack of support.

Chippenham has competed in the national competition for 15 years and enjoyed regular commendations, but Ray Lane, head of service delivery, said the town council now felt forced to withdraw, because the town could not meet the standards of its competitors.

"The sad fact is that the Britain in Bloom judges come to Chippenham, admire our floral displays, our residents' gardens and the roundabouts sponsored by local businesses, but they can't fail to notice the weeds and badly-kept verges too," he said.

"These are the responsibility of the county council's highways department, but it just isn't keeping Chippenham tidy enough."

Mr Lane says this had led the town council to conclude that however hard it works, it can never realistically get any further in the competition than the commendation stage.

"It is sad, because we put such a huge effort into keeping the town looking nice, with hanging baskets, beautiful flower beds and mown grass areas," he continued.

"But alongside the flowers are huge weeds and overgrown roundabouts.

"We don't think the competition reflects the town fairly."

Mr Lane also feels Chippenham has an extra disadvantage in that its population is put in a judging class alongside coastal resorts, such as Truro and Torquay, which have big budgets to spend on their image.

"This, combined with the inactivity of the county council makes us feel that we can never really compete on a fair basis," he said.

But Wiltshire County Council spokesman Tim Champion defended the county's efforts to keep Chippenham tidy.

"Wiltshire County Council provides parish lengthsmen to Chippenham town council for two days, three times a year," he said.

"They are contracted to carry out whatever highway jobs need doing and that can include removing the weeds from kerbsides and roundabouts."

Chippenham Town Council says it has approached Wiltshire County Council regarding the maintenance of roundabouts, open spaces and road verges. But it claims the county council said it could not afford to commit further funds.

Pulling out of Britain in Bloom does not affect the town's annual Chippenham in Bloom competition, which recognises the efforts of residents and businesses.