GARDENERS in Devizes are to be given even more ways to show off their green fingers this summer by the town's In Bloom committee.

It has added extra categories to its annual contest which will now include ones for bedding plans and a chance for neighbours to group together for the Pride In Your Place section.

Committee chairman Zena Robson said: "On the business front, we have introduced Pride in Your Place there as well. We would like three or more adjacent businesses to show that they look after their frontages, maybe by re-painting peeling woodwork, putting up baskets and/or weeding and sweeping along the areas outside.

"We are also asking them to take part in our Floral and Themed Windows Trail around the town again. This year’s theme is Our Blue Planet."

A map showing the trail will be published but businesses need to enter by May 31 to get a mention. Schools and nurseries will have their own Our Blue Planet themed competition and will be challenged to create a sea creature out of recycled plastic.

Ms Robson said: "The biggest challenge will be to make sure that they will be sturdy and durable enough to go on display on the roundabout by The Greens in order to be judged by the Mayor. We are leaving that one to the teachers’/parents’ and the pupils’ ingenuity. Last year’s Scarecrows were brilliant and brought a smile to many a harassed passer-by! The cut-off date for entering this has been and gone but we have plenty of participants and we can’t wait to see what they come up with.

"Finally, in-keeping with our theme, we also have the young person’s painting competition and we have re-introduced the photographic competition – this mostly because of all the super photographs uploaded on to The Devizes Issue Facebook page! There are a lot of talented people out there and we would love them to get involved.

"Members of the In Bloom committee will be at the Lions’ Fair in the Corn Exchange on May 7th and the Plant Fair in The Shambles on May 9th – pop along to have a chat and pick up a leaflet."