JUDGES from the Britain In Bloom contest visited Durham City yesterday and declared themselves impressed with what they saw.

A delegation of judges from the Royal Horticultural Society toured several sites around the area as the city bids to improve on its silver award at last year's competition.

Durham is up against rivals Whitehaven, Barnstaple and St Hellier in the large town/small city category for the prestigious competition.

Yesterday, judges Roger Burnett and Clive Addison ran their eye over the city's flowerbeds, verges, parks and gardens ahead of the announcement of the winner in Cardiff next month.

Mr Addison said: "The fact that Durham has once again got through to the finals shows that you would expect the city to be of a very, very high standard and, as we have been round this morning, that expectation is fully borne out.

"We have been very impressed by what we have seen - it is quite clear that Durham is going to be a very, very worthy competitor."

The competition has changed in recent years and now, as well as the floral displays, towns and cities have to demonstrate their commitment to nature conservation, long term sustainability, community involvement and dealing with graffiti and litter.

Durham won through to represent the region in the finals after winning last year's Northumbria In Bloom title.