Never mind the snake charmers, Cricklade has held its own worm charming competition.

People tapped the ground, play drums, brought along a CD player and gently raked a two metre square patch of grass in the contest, held to launch the Cricklade In Bloom competition.

Anita Barratt, chairman of Cricklade Bloomers, the group which looks after the town’s entry into Britain in Bloom, said: “It was an excellent day and it all went well indeed.

“There were all sorts of techniques, such as tapping or vibrating but competitors weren’t allowed to dig.

“There were people who had CD players, children with wooden spoons and bongos.

“All the worms were collected and put back after dark.

“We also had a quarter peal by the bell ringers of St Sampson’s, which was lovely as they don’t very often do that.

“We also had the town band playing.”

The event at Saxon’s Rest on March 28 was designed to encourage local residents to pay attention to their gardens and do all they can to propel Cricklade back to the highest echelons of beautifully flowered towns.

Mrs Barratt estimated around 200 people came to see the worm charming competition and to learn about Cricklade in Bloom.

The worm charming competition was entered by 20 teams.

Mrs Barratt said: “We would ask people to look after their own area as that helps hugely.”