AWARD-WINNING volunteers will once again take on the country’s best in next year’s national horticultural competition.

Anglia in Bloom has selected this year’s winners of the town category to take part in the 2020 edition of Britain in Bloom.

Halstead came just short of winning the national competition this year and had to settle for joint gold in the town category.

Halstead In Bloom now look like they will get the chance to go one better next year after being put forward to represent East Anglia at national level for the second year in a row.

Secretary for the Halstead team Julia Smith said: “We are thrilled the judging team of Anglia in Bloom has nominated Halstead as one of the five places to represent the Anglia region in Britain in Bloom campaign next year.

“The team hasn’t yet formally agreed to this nomination, and indeed it has not been ratified by the Royal Horticultural Society as yet but fingers crossed we will be entertaining the Britain in Bloom judges next summer.

“We will be proud to show all that Halstead has to offer.”

Halstead’s nomination for Britain in Bloom was revealed during the In Bloom’s annual awards night.

The event, which was held at the United Reformed Church in Kings Road, saw winners of this year’s Local Garden Competition crowned.

Prizes were given to winners and runners up in various categories and some certificates of appreciation were also handed out.

The Bryan Salmon Memorial Cup was awarded to Fiona Bazley for her work, particularly in the Kings Road and Parsonage Street area and at the fire station.

The Peter Saville Cup was given to the fifth Trinity Guides for all their work in supporting Halstead in Bloom this year and the President’s Cup was awarded to Linda de Frates for all her hard work in St Andrew’s Churchyard and in Sudbury Road.

Halstead in Bloom also displayed its awards from this year’s competitions.