Two weeks ago it seemed as if Saltburn's efforts to win Britain in Bloom may have been thwarted by a mystery poisoner. But yesterday the community rallied in preparation for today's visit by competition judges. Alex Mott reports.

THERE was more than a hint of the Dunkirk spirit in a North-East town yesterday as volunteers worked against the clock to repair the damage done to more than 300 poisoned floral displays.

Everyone from councillors to a local handyman pitched in to give the town a fighting chance when the Britain in Bloom judges arrive in Saltburn, east Cleveland, later today.

Flowers were still being planted, replacement hanging baskets watered and graffiti removed.

Every flower bed had a trowel-wielding volunteer busy between the blooms - stopping frequently to mop their brows in the fierce sunshine. Even the litter bins received a lick of paint.

Saltburn councillor, Joan Sands, who spent the day transporting plants and water in her car to the main displays, said the spirit of Dunkirk had descended on the town.

"One good thing to come out of all this is the wonderful community spirit we have seen in Saltburn," she said.

"Residents' associations and individuals have adopted certain areas which they have tended themselves and the town is really looking beautiful."

The optimism is a far cry from the outrage and despair felt 11 days ago when weedkiller is believed to have been slipped into a contractor's water tank used to spray the floral displays.

Jackie Taylor, organiser of Saltburn in Bloom, was feeling positive on the eve of the judges' visit.

"We've had so much support from the local community and from outside in the form of money and plants," she said.

"We really couldn't have done it without all the help."

The displays normally cost £19,000 each year, which is raised through fundraising efforts and a parish council donation of £1,500. This year, Ms Taylor has been left with a further £3,500 bill for the extra flowers.

"It has been hard," she said. "But we've had donations, including one from an American lady who gave us 1,000 dollars, and our raffle ticket sales have increased considerably since the flowers were destroyed."

Mrs Kenneth Clark, chairman of Northumbria in Bloom, said: "The people of Saltburn are amazing. What happened was diabolical and the town was dealt a mortal blow. But they are not defeated. It has been extremely hard on them, but the way they have pulled together has been wonderful.

"Saltburn has a very good chance of winning the Northumbria in Bloom competition because it was judged just before the poisoning.

"Nationally, they got a silver gilt last year, so they did not win their class, but they had the highest rating in Northumbria.

"The Britain in Bloom judges know the full story, but you have got to judge what you see.

"Saltburn would have had a very good chance in the national competition had this not happened."

Six entries were put forward from the North-East for Britain in Bloom including Whitburn, Newcastle, Durham, Alnwick, Aycliffe Village and Saltburn.

Northumbria in Bloom results will be announced on September 8 and Britain in Bloom results on September 30.