JUDGEMENT day is drawing closer for a group of community-minded volunteers hoping to win a top environmental prize.

Residents, traders and community workers in Easington Colliery will be taking to the streets next week in a bid to boost their chances of winning a Northumbria in Bloom award.

Members of the Easington Colliery in Bloom committee, known locally as the ‘bloomers’, will be weeding flowerbeds, sweeping paths and gutters and picking up litter on Tuesday April 28 and Wednesday, April 29.

The days of action have been organised in partnership with the parish council and Easington Colliery Regeneration Partnership in preparation for a visit by the Northumbria in Bloom judging panel on Thursday, April 30.

The clean-up team will be joined by representatives from Natural England, Durham Heritage Coast and Durham County Council’s Coast and Countryside Rangers and its Pride in Easington team.

Michelle Morton, Pride in Easington officer, said: "This will be the first time the judges have visited Easington Colliery which means it’s extra important that we make as good an impression as possible.

"There are a lot of community and public sector groups already supporting the project so, hopefully, by the time the panel arrive the village will be in full bloom and looking its best."

Judging for the Northumbria in Bloom competition takes place in two stages, with the judges visiting each location in spring and then returning in the summer.

During next week’s visit, the judges will be taken on a guided tour of the village with stop-offs at the Welfare Park, the cemetery, pit wheel site and a section of coastal pathway used by walkers and cyclists.

As well as marking the village on its display of spring bulbs, the judges will also be assessing its general level of cleanliness.