THE search is on for Darlington's best gardeners as the town hosts its annual flower competition.

Nominations are invited in four categories in the Darlington in Bloom competition - best residential garden, best business premises, best pub and best school.

Gardeners can nominate themselves, or friends and relatives can put their names forward.

Councillor Paul Baldwin, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet member, said: "The winner of Northumbria in Bloom for the past nine years, Darlington prides itself in its floral excellence and depends on the efforts of residents and businesses in the town to keep its position as one of the, if not the best floral towns in the country.

"Darlington in Bloom will help to prepare the way for Northumbria in Bloom by helping our team to identify the best premises in the town.

"This is an ideal opportunity for local people to either put themselves forward or to nominate someone else and gain the recognition they deserve for all the hard work and effort that goes into creating and maintaining a garden."

The first prize in each category is bedding plants worth £25, with £15 of plants for the runners-up.

The closing date for nominations is July 11. Judging will take place on July 28. To nominate someone call (01325) 388777