THE cream of Europe's flower displays are to be named at a competition in Harrogate.

The Entente Floral Awards Ceremony 2007 is being staged by Harrogate Borough Council.

The event will see more than 230 delegates from 12 European countries descend on North Yorkshire.

Twenty three of this year's competition entries come from towns and villages involved in their own national in bloom awards.

Councillor Pat Jones, cabinet member for cultural services, said: "We are no stranger to this competition with Harrogate being the first winner when it was launched in the 1970s when it was just between France and England.

"Pateley Bridge won in 1978 and in 2004 Harrogate town and Darley both achieved gold medals.

"We value the importance of this competition. Not only has it opened up more frontiers, it has extended beyond just floral excellence and now very much focuses on quality of life and the environment in which we live.

"It is for this reason that Harrogate Borough Council continues to support Europe in Bloom and offered to host this year's event."

The results will be announced at Ripon Cathedral tomorrow.

The delegates will also be showcasing what makes their own part of Europe so unique, including offering local produce and music, at the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, on Saturday, from 10am to noon.