IS YOUR garden glorious? Do you have a top plot? Or is your blooming back-yard upfront with the best?

If you're a green-fingered gardener with the flowers to prove it, the Bolton in Bloom competition wants to hear from YOU!

This popular competition is open to everyone, in all types of gardens or back-yards, large or small.

It is sponsored by Barton Grange Garden Centre, Beaumont Hotel & Restaurant, Bolton Metro Leisure Services and the Bolton Evening News to officially recognise the area's talented gardening fans.

The town's national reputation in the Britain in Bloom contest is already established. And it blossomed last year when Bolton scooped the top award of Best Large City in the North West in Bloom contest - for the third year running! But, success in 1996 hinges on the whole community. This means that it's not just the work of the highways, parks or housing departments. It also depends on schools and community groups, businesses and individuals.

We have to ensure that not only public areas look blooming good, but that patches of wasteland take on a new life .... and that everything's coming up roses!

Local gardeners can lead the way by showing exactly what can be achieved.

There are three categories: best small garden (below 200 square yards), best large garden (over 200 square yards) and best-kept back-yard. Category winners will each win £100 of gardening vouchers from Barton Grange Garden Centre, dinner for two plus wine at the Beaumont Hotel & Restaurant and a trophy sponsored by the BEN.

And every entrant will receive a Phostrogen 500g Spray Feed-A-Set, worth £9.99, from Barton Grange.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.