MONTHS of meticulous planting and pruning will finally end tomorrow as Darlington takes its turn in the Britain in Bloom spotlight.

A team of judges will tour the town to assess Darlington's bid for glory in the coveted best city category of the national competition.

A welcoming party headed by Darlington Borough Council and The Northern Echo, which is supporting the town's bid, will formally greet the judging team tomorrow after a three hour tour of the town.

The culmination of eight months hard work by the council's team of dedicated gardeners will come to a head tomorrow and the long agonising wait for the results begins.

The tour will begin at 9.30am at Stockton Road roundabout before the judges are taken to the east side of the town, and shown some of the displays around Yarm Road roundabout and St Andrews Church.

The judges will then be taken back towards the town centre and on to Stanhope Park and West Cemetery, before a walkabout around the town centre.

The tour will then pass through South Park before finishing at Stressholme Golf Club at around 12.30pm.

The organisers now face an anxious wait before the results are announced in November, when the town will find out if all the work has been enough to bring it the best small city award.

But despite all the preparation and precision that has gone in to making this year's entry extra special, the last few days have been a nervous time for the team.

Another vital aspect of the bid has been the town's sponsored roundabouts, which have been supported by the companies such as The Northern Echo and local firm Bussey and Armstrong, which was one of the first to become involved with the scheme.

And helpers were today carrying out important last minute weeding and litter picks along the judges' route.

Terry Collins, leisure services manager for the council, said the community input from pubs, schools, voluntary groups, residents and businesses had been essential in making this year's entry so impressive.

He said: "The organisers are delighted with the response received this year through The Northern Echo, which has really enthused the community involvement aspect of our bid.

"This has all really helped the town with its floral bid."