Darlington is stepping up its efforts to put on a blooming good show to impress competition judges.

The town is aiming to reclaim the Northumbria in Bloom title this year and, as part of its campaign, Darlington Borough Council's horticultural team will oversee the delivery of thousands of flowers to schools to enhance their grounds.

Judges will be visiting Darlington on Tuesday, July 26, to assess its efforts.

The town won the Northumbria in Bloom crown for six consecutive years until 2003.

Council gardeners have planted more than 180,000 flowers throughout the borough and have erected and tended more than 800 hanging baskets and floral display tubs.

Residents are being urged to play their part by tidying up their gardens and yards.

Businesses have been encouraged to erect hanging baskets and locate flower tubs outside their premises.

Council leader John Wil*iams said: "We are rightly proud of our floral expertise in Darlington and our past success speaks for itself.

"We are calling on local people to once again pull out all the stops and help us to regain the floral crown of the region."