IT'S time to dig out your spades and trowels and spring into action to make Woodbridge blooming beautiful again this summer.The riverside town – eight times winner of the best small town in the region and a national runner up for its flowers and gardens – is again running a series of competitions for its green-fingered gardeners.

IT'S time to dig out your spades and trowels and spring into action to make Woodbridge blooming beautiful again this summer.

The riverside town – eight times winner of the best small town in the region and a national runner up for its flowers and gardens – is again running a series of competitions for its green-fingered gardeners.

Private householders and businesses are being encouraged to take part in the Woodbridge in Bloom event, which was launched this week by committee member SueAllen and sponsor's representative Nick Bugden.

The competitions are sponsored by Notcutts garden centre and run in partnership with Woodbridge Town Council and the organising committee hope residents will join in to create a floral feast for all to enjoy.

The town is entering again for the Anglia in Bloom event and the competitions, along with the civic gardens tended by Suffolk Coastal and recreation areas looked after by the town council, will be a key factor in its bid for glory.

"The Woodbridge in Bloom competition is ever more popular each year and it would be great to see even more people entering this year," said Mr Bugden, Notcutts garden centre manager.

"Gardeners can either enter their own gardens or others can enter them on their behalf."

This year's categories are: best newcomer, Notcutts best front garden, best residential hanging basket/window box, most attractive seasonal bedding, the Banyard & Houchell trophy for most interesting combination of planting and reclaimed materials, most attractive commercial premises (excluding pubs/hotels), and most attractive hotel/pub frontage.

Closing date for all entries is July 27 and judging will take place shortly afterwards. Winners names will be announced at a special presentation tea.

To ensure the competition remains fair, first prize winners in the residential categories will be entered into a new champions category this year.

Entry forms will be available from Woodbridge Town Council's officves at the Shire Hall on Market Hill, and also from Notcutts garden centre, Ipswich Road, Woodbridge.