Halstead's award winning volunteers showed off their dedication and hard work when the Anglia in Bloom judges visited for the day.

The In Bloom team took the judges on a tour of Halstead last Friday, showing them the most picturesque spots as they look to claim the best town in Anglia in Bloom title for the tenth year in a row.

The day begin with the volunteers, town councillors and mayor Andrew Munday welcoming the judges at Halstead Bowls Club off Colchester Road.

From there, the judges were taken on a tour of the town and stopped off at a variety of places such as the Public Gardens, Holy Trinity Primary School, the Loom gardens at Halstead Hospital and Halstead Cemetery.

Halstead in Bloom chairman Margaret Eskins, is confident judging day was a success and says it would be a special achievement if the town were to win top prize for a tenth successive year.

She said: “I thought the town looked fantastic and everywhere was very clean and tidy.

“It was certainly one of our better years. Everything seemed to come together nicely and the weather was perfect.

“If anything it was maybe a little too hot so we had to make sure the judges weren’t in the sun too long.

“But they seemed to have a good day and really enjoyed meeting the children, schools and groups during the tour.

“Now all we can do is wait and see.

“It would be amazing if we won again and it would be great for everyone who has worked so hard.”

The volunteers now face a long wait to learn their fate, as results of this year’s competition will not be revealed until the Anglia in Bloom ceremony which takes place in Bury St Edmunds on September 12.