CHELSEA Flow Show has got some competition -- from Bolton gardeners.

What they can do in London, we can plant, grow and cultivate in blooming Bolton.

And to prove it the Bolton Evening News is launching its Bolton Borough in Bloom competition in association with Barton Grange Garden Centre, Bolton Metro Commercial Services and De Vere Whites Hotel.

This year the categories have been changed to give more scope to gardeners and we are looking for a Commonwealth theme in keeping with the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

If you are a dab hand with the dibber, or creative with carnations, try your green fingers in our super contest.

It is open to everyone living in the borough and it does not matter if you live in a flat or a mansion -- there is a section for everyone to enter. And you can enter more than one category. No garden, hanging basket or water feature is too modest. The judges want to see a riot of colour and some novel ideas. Do not worry if you don't know your petunias from your poppies -- experts are on hand to give advice. All you have to do is ring Vivien at Barton Grange on Bolton 660660.

The categories and the criteria are as follows:

Best Hanging Basket.

Good collection of plants

A healthy basket (a well fed basket is a healthy basket)

A tidy basket (dead heading etc)

Prizes: £50 worth of gardening vouchers from Barton Grange, a meal for two courtesy of De Vere Whites Hotel and a Bolton Evening News trophy.

Water Feature

Use of recycled materials

Environmental features

Appropriate plants

Quality of construction.

Prizes: £100 in gardening vouchers, a meal for two and a trophy.

Best Gardens

Two categories -- under 250 square yards and over 250 square yards.

Overall impression

Any Commonwealth theme

Quality of design

Use of texture (hard/soft landscapes)

Provision of wildlife/organic gardening

Prizes in both categories: £100 worth of gardening vouchers, a meal for two and a trophy.

Entrants should submit a photograph of their garden, water feature or hanging basket.

A picture of last year's garden is acceptable if your garden is not yet fully in bloom.

The closing date for entries is Friday, July 5.

A short list will be drawn up and the judges will visit the finalists in mid-July.

Employees, and their immediate families, of the Bolton Evening News, Bolton Metro Commercial Services Department and Barton Grange or anyone connected with this competition are not eligible to enter.

There will be a winner in each category. Prizes are as stated.

However, in addition, the judges may award "highly commended" certificates at their discretion.

All entrants will be invited to an awards ceremony to be held at the Festive Hall on September 15.

At that event, there will be a slide show featuring all the winning gardens.

So if you are proud of your garden, and proud of Bolton, enter our super competition and put the bloom back in the borough.

Fill in the entry coupon on the right and send you entries to:

Bolton Borough in Bloom,

Promotions Department

Bolton Evening News

Churchgate

Bolton, BL1 1DE

Every entrant will get a free box of Miracle Grow which retails at £3.49.

Don't forget . . . the closing date for entries is Friday, July 5.