A NORTH-EAST city's impressive array of flowers, plants and landscape were placed under the critical eye of judges today.

Experts from the Royal Horticultural Society were visiting the Durham City, as it bids for success in this year's Britain in Bloom Competition.

Durham is representing the North-East in this year's finals as a result of winning last year's Northumbria in Bloom competition.

Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, the competition aims to increase civic pride and regenerate local environments with imaginative landscaping and planting, whilst dealing with local environmental issues such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.

Judges Carolyn Wilson and Jon Wheatley made a whistle-stop tour of key sites and displays as well as looking at the efforts of residents yesterday.

Ms Wilson said: "It is obvious Durham is a vibrant bustling city with a huge amount of heritage and history to be proud of.

"We have met a lot of people responsible for keeping Durham looking so clean and tidy and seen some really remarkable trees and landscapes."

City of Durham Council's environment portfolio holder Councillor Anji Rae said: "The team at the city council, working in partnership with a wide range of public, business, voluntary groups and residents, put in a huge effort each year to ensure Durham looks stunning.

"The main aim of our environmental work is to make our district an outstanding place for local people - and the local community makes an immense contribution to our success".

Britain in Bloom is Europe's largest environmental competition attracting more than 1,400 entries nationwide and Durham is one of only 69 to make it through to the final.