GREEN-FINGERED volunteers are hoping to once again celebrate the best gardens in the town with the return of a gardening competition.

Halstead in Bloom is looking forward to hosting its annual garden competition this summer.

The competition sees judges visit gardens in Halstead but last year the event was axed due to the pandemic.

The competition has been running for about 15 years and is a celebrated event in the community.

But now, as restrictions ease, volunteers hope to hold the competition in 2021 with special measures to make the event safe.

Julia Smith, the group’s secretary, said: “We did decide that we would have a local garden competition again this year – truncated with just front gardens, hanging baskets, tubs and troughs at the front of the premises so that we don’t have to enter, and we will have judges from Halstead rather than further afield.

“Entries will be open from May 17 and close in mid July for judging in August.”

The group hope to have entry forms available at the town’s supermarkets and library.

For more information, contact Julia at jaygrey@btinternet.com or ask an In Bloom team member.