DURHAM City's impressive array of flowers, plants and landscape were placed under the critical eye of judges yesterday - and they were impressed with what they saw.

The judges, from the Royal Horticultural Society, were visiting the city during its bids for success in this year's Britain in Bloom Competition.

Durham is representing the North-East in the finals after the city won last year's Northumbria in Bloom competition.

Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society, the competition aims to increase civic pride and regenerate environments with imaginative landscaping and planting. It also hopes to deal with issues such as litter, graffiti and vandalism.

Judges Carolyn Wilson and Jon Wheatley made a whistle-stop tour of key sites and displays, and examined the efforts of residents yesterday.

They will visit County Hall, Aykley Heads Business Park, DLI Museum grounds, St Margaret's Allotments, Houghall College, Botanic Garden, university colleges, riverbanks, cathedral, Market Place, Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, and housing and community areas.

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."

Mr Wheatley said: "We were very impressed with the cleanliness of the place."

Durham City 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.

"It's rewarding to be honoured by being able to take part in a prestigious competition such as Britain in Bloom.

"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. It attracts more than 1,400 entries nationwide, and Durham is one of only 69 entries to make it through to the final.

The city hopes to follow the success of 2005 when it received a gold award.