ALL eyes will be on Wrexham when judges return to the town for the Britain in Bloom competition.

The town was labelled blooming marvellous as it wowed judges last week in the Wales in Bloom competition and was awarded the prestigious city trophy.

Chirk, which scooped the Wales in Bloom small country town trophy, was visited by Britain in Bloom judges last Friday as it bids to make it a double success.

Now Wrexham has the chance to impress when judges return to the region on Friday.

Judges from the Royal Horticultural Society will be in town to inspect the hard work of Wrexham Council environment staff and local community groups who have teamed up to bring some colour to the town for residents and visitors which it is hoped will give the town a fighting chance.

Cllr David Bithell, council deputy leader, said: “Being invited to take part in this prestigious event by the Royal Horticultural Society is a huge honour and also a challenge that staff have taken on board with great enthusiasm.

“I would like to thank everyone involved with this project for ensuring Wrexham has an environment to be proud of.”

This year 76 villages, towns, cities and urban communities from across the UK will be competing for the coveted RHS medals and judges coming to Wrexham will follow a carefully planned route designed to show the town at its best.

Judges will start out at the Erlas Victorian Gardening Project where they will talk to volunteers about the project; then onto Borras Infant School and Borras shopping area, before heading to Acton Park via Herbert Jennings Avenue and onto Chester Road to hear about the history of the Four Dogs.

Nightingale House Hospice, Price’s Lane allotments and Bellevue Park are also on the map and from there judges will travel onto Crescent Road gardens, Charles Street and into the town centre.

The judges will then meet council staff involved in the project at the Guildhall and finish at Wrexham Museum.

Wrexham is once again shortlisted in the city category because of its size and will be in direct competition with York, Richmond Upon Thames, Bury and Stockton. The results will be announced in September.

RESIDENTS of Llwyneinion are also celebrating after winning a Wales in Bloom silver gilt award in the small village category.

A group of volunteers dedicated their spare time to spruce up the village by planting on verges and by pruning the community garden to perfection.

They also carried out regular litter picks and used recycled or donated materials to enhance the hamlet.

Fraser Northall, a steering group member, added: “Everyone gets involved with the planting improvements from the young right through to the more senior members of the community and it's great to see the children learning about planting, composting and understanding the importance of clearing litter.

“The changes in the area have been massive since we moved here four years ago.”

Cllr Paul Pemberton commended the group for the hard work.

“The residents have proved that a bit of hard work and enthusiasm can make a difference to a place.

“They have achieved a lot with a tiny budget of less than £1,000 and to get a silver gilt in the Wales in Bloom competition is really something, I am very proud of them.”