VILLAGERS who are forming a committee to help ensure Fishburn puts on a good show for the Northumbria in Bloom competition next year, want residents of all ages to become involved.

The competition is co-ordinated by the Royal Horticultural Society and the Tidy Britain Group, and is the largest of its kind in Europe.

Categories range from small village to large city and anyone can enter their garden as long as the entry is made to the local authority or parish council.

The project will be co-ordinated by Age Concern Durham County's Intergenerational Programme, which is funded by One NorthEast.

In an effort to involve the whole community, the group is holding an open meeting at Fishburn Youth and Community Centre on Monday, September 16, at 7pm.

Spokeswoman Marianne Patterson said: "We want villagers to come along and find out what is on offer.

"There will be something for everyone, from working on designs with Fishburn Arts Group to getting involved with planting days later in the year.

"The whole village will have a real sense of achievement by actively improving their local environment and the project will positively bring together the generations."

The Intergenerational Programme aims to bring together the generations, providing an exchange of talents, experience, knowledge and friendship.