THE eyes of the country will be on Durham next week when the city hosts the country's biggest environmental awards.

The city has earned the honour of being the first place to host the finals of Britain In Bloom twice.

Having staged the event in 1996, Durham was picked again by The Tidy Britain Group, which organises the popular competition. Next Wednesday, the 60 finalists - including Darlington, Sedgefield, Saltburn and Sunderland - will learn how the judges rated their efforts, when the winners are announced in Durham Cathedral.

Durham is no stranger to success, having won the 1995 Britain in Bloom competition and won Northumbria in Bloom 11 times in the last 20 years.

Andrew Jackson, the city council's grounds maintenance officer, who is helping to organise the event, said: "It is a real showcase for the city and the region. Hopefully, the people who come to the awards will go away impressed and tell other people about us.''

The city, which won in Northumbria in Bloom again this year, is looking good with 45,000 summer bedding plants on display. Tidy Britain regional director Marian Harrison said: "We have a long list of places wanting to hold the event. The setting in Durham is fantastic.''

Deputy Mayor George Cowper said: "This is a considerable honour for the city council. We pulled out all the stops to make it a special occasion.''

To mark the millennium and 37 years of the awards, there will be a celebration evening in the cathedral on Tuesday, with guests from all over the country.

It will include performances by Framwellgate School Choir, Belmont Ladies' Choral Society and Durham Singers.