IPSWICH is rapidly becoming a bloom-town as green-fingered people across the town prepare their entries for this year's Ipswich in Bloom competition.Various categories are being contested in this year's competition including the best business premises, the best industrial premises and the best planted containers.

IPSWICH is rapidly becoming a bloom-town as green-fingered people across the town prepare their entries for this year's Ipswich in Bloom competition.

Various categories are being contested in this year's competition including the best business premises, the best industrial premises and the best planted containers.

The Ipswich in Bloom campaign is seen as a way preparing the town for entry into the Anglia in Bloom competition.

Ipswich in Bloom secretary John Stebbings explained: "This is a localised competition and it gives people the opportunity to prepare their gardens for our entry into the Anglia in Bloom competition."

"We only have three and a half hours to take the judges around the town so this gives us a good idea of where to take them and which areas we would like to be assessed."

This year the competitors have the extra incentive to prepare their garden arrangements as the town prepares for the visit of the Queen.

Ipswich in Bloom committee members have been getting their hands dirty at Chantry Park Nursery this week to prepare the summer bedding plants and containers.

The nursery is stashed full of plants waiting to be put out to add vital colour to the town centre.

Terry Hurren, the nursery manager and a committee member, said: "I love this time of year, with thousands of plants around us ready to go out. It is really hard work, but rewarding. The nursery provides all the bedding plants for our fantastic roundabouts and hanging baskets as well as civil functions and of course our award winning display at the Suffolk Show."

Entry to the competition is still open and forms are available from all garden centres, council facilities or by contacting John Stebbings on 01473 433334 or enquiries@ipswichpartnership.com.

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