TROWBRIDGE has pulled out of next year's regional South West in Bloom competition to save money.

Trowbridge town development manager, Daryl Saville-Brown, who co-ordinates the town's entry each year, said: "It was decided the money and resources, including staff time, could be better spent by putting it into the town.

"We were also competing against towns with a far greater population, up to 70,000."

She said efforts to improve the county town's appearance were hampered by three different councils being responsible for areas of the town.

Mrs Saville-Brown said: "We have the county council responsible for grass verges, somebody else is responsible for the middle of roundabouts and then the town council has been trying to fill in the gaps.

"We were competing against seaside towns which benefit from tourism and unitary authorities, which are responsible for everything."

Work carried out for the competition included the need to put together a comprehensive portfolio on the town, including photographs. Time was spent planning and checking the route to be taken by judges.

The town won a silver award in the competition this year, and was highly commended in 2001.

The decision to withdraw was taken by the Trowbridge in Bloom committee, and has been backed by the town council and chamber of commerce.