DESPITE being buried under a blanket of snow, Durham has reached the finals of Britain in Bloom.

The city has again been shortlisted in the large town/small city with a population of 12,000 to 35,000 category.

Durham, which won silver last year and gold in 2005, will contest the title with rivals Bicester, Bury St Edmunds, Coleraine, Colwyn Bay and Perth, while Sedgefield has been named a finalist in the small town category.

Oliver Sherratt, Head of Direct Services at Durham County Council, said: "This is a terrific accolade and comes on the back of Durham winning a gold medal in last year’s Northumbria in Bloom.

"We are delighted that the efforts of the whole community, working in partnership with the council, have been recognised in this way."

Andrew Jackson, a member of the ‘Durham in Bloom’ team with Durham County Council, said: "It is a fantastic achievement to be taking part as a finalist for the second year running in Europe’s largest environmental competition.

"In order to repeat the city’s success of securing Britain’s Best Large Town/Small City’ in the 2005 Britain in Bloom competition, we need everyone’s help".

Organisers are now asking for residents to get involved in the bid, with city centre businesses being asked to sponsor hanging baskets, schools being asked to tie the competition in with education projects and households and businesses being asked to keep their properties neat and tidy.

Judges are due to visit Durham in August, to assess the city on three themes - horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.

The winners in each category announced on September 29.