Townspeople are being asked to spruce up their neighbourhood before judges from South West in Bloom arrive tomorrow.

Devizes Town Council, which enters the competition, wants to better its achievement of silver gilt last year by striking gold.

Carole Berry, direct services manager at the town council, said: “Letters have gone out to all the pubs and businesses in the town and many have responded with spectacular arrangements.

“Our parks team have been working hard on The Greens, hanging baskets and formal gardens and Devizes really does look super. We would like to ask everyone to help by removing weeds, picking up litter, especially on The Greens and tidying up generally to give Devizes the best possible chance this year. Even putting out an extra pot of flowers on Friday morning might make all the different in brightening up a dull corner.”

Meanwhile judges for Devizes in Bloom have started to judge homes and businesses’ floral displays.

The winners will receive their prizes on September 10.

The Devizes in Bloom competition has 16 categories including best allotment and best display in an individual hanging basket. In addition the town council has organised a photographic competition and a young person’s painting competition.