Horticulturalists are warning the sorry state of the town’s river could undermine their chances of success in this year’s Anglia in Bloom competition.

Halstead in Bloom has long campaigned for improvements to be made to the River Colne, which is overgrown with unsightly weeds.

Further issues such as low water levels and the concerns over unsafe river banks near Townsford Mill mean there are serious worries that valuable points will be lost when the judges tour Halstead tomorrow.

Volunteer Joan Gibson said: “The river is 100 per cent worse than other years.

“It’s supposed to be a beauty spot but it’s anything but these days.

“The judges could mark us down badly.

“They know it is not our fault but its a real negative and we could lose loads of points over it.”

Mrs Gibson says the judges won’t be stopping off at the river during their tour of the town because it has become too much of an eyesore.

She added: “It used to be the main attraction but we can’t start our judging route there anymore because it is so bad.

“We are having to start at the other end of the town and will avoid going there.

“We won’t be going along the Causeway. We won’t be stopping on the bridge either because you can easily look over the edge and see how bad it is.”

Halstead in Bloom chairman Margaret Eskins also admitted she has concerns about the river.

She says other places in the town will also be missed by judges because they are located close to the river.

She said: “There are places we would take the judges to but we can’t now because we don’t want to take them near the river.

“The number of people we have had comment on it.

“It’s so frustrating, we should be showing it off but we can’t now.

“It’s bad for the environment, for tourism and is a safety risk.

“It would be great if something could be done about.”

The Environment Agency, which manages the river, told the Gazette there are no plans for improvement works to be made.

A spokesman added: “The current lowered water level at Townsford Mill is having a positive effect on the environmental status of the River Colne in Halstead. “The river channel is now more naturalised than it was when the flow was managed differently.

“This has led to a great improvement in the biodiversity and wildlife in and around the river.

“Riverside landowners are responsible for keeping watercourse channels and banks clear of rubbish and debris and with an improved wildlife, the area has taken on a new lease of life.”