Halstead's award-winning horticulturalists have revealed how they are planning on making the town a contender for the Anglia in Bloom competition later this year.

Halstead in Bloom will be setting up a number of displays throughout the town to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War.

A colour scheme of red, white and blue has also been poignantly chosen to pay tribute to members of the RAF who fought in the war.

Displays in Halstead public gardens and Weavers Court will be centred around the Great War.

There will also be a special display at Loom Gardens where flowers will be used to create a Dalek in a bid to celebrate 80 years since the first science fiction TV programme was shown in the UK.

Secretary Julie Smith said: “There is a lot to do but we will do our best like we do every year.

“At the moment we are continuing the maintenance of the winter plants which will come out towards the end of May.

“We will aim to plant the summer bits at the start of June. We are always looking for volunteers and people to help out with maintenance.”

Halstead in Bloom is also appealing for suggestions for its calendar for 2019 and is asking for some of the best photos of locations in Halstead.

For more information contact jaygrey@btinternet.com.