The mayor of Devizes has urged residents to help make the town a floral joy this summer and retain its hard-won gold award in the South West in Bloom competition.

Coun Sue Evans joined representatives of local organisations and children from several local schools on Friday to launch Devizes and Roundway in Bloom 2012, the campaign to win a cherished gold award for the town for a second year running.

Coun Evans said: “We were so delighted to have won the gold award last year and we want to keep up the good work and perhaps even win through to the Britain in Bloom finals.

“The town looked so beautiful last summer and so many people worked very hard to get it looking that way.”

The launch took place on The Green where crocuses and daffodils planted by the Rotary Club of Devizes and town council parks staff last year are already making a colourful show.

The gold flag that accompanied the certificate last summer was proudly held by children from local schools.

The campaign is being spearheaded by the Devizes and Roundway in Bloom committee, along with members of the town council, the Townswomen’s Guild, WI, Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, Devizes PHAB Club, Devizes Rotary Club, the Quakers Walk Neighbourhood Group, Cornerstones community centre, Waiblingen Way Residents’ Association, Aster Housing and Wiltshire Council.

Devizes School, Nursteed Community Primary School and Southbroom Junior School are also taking part. Other groups that helped Devizes to last year’s gold award include the Drews Pond Wood Group.

For more information on how to take part, contact the town council on (01380) 722160.