MONTHS of meticulous planting and pruning will finally end today 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 today 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 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 Andrew's 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 and through South Park before finishing at Stressholme Golf Club at about 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.

Despite all the preparation and precision that has gone in to making this year's entry extra special, the past 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.

Helpers were carrying out important last minute weeding and litter picks along the judges' route yesterday.

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."

Bunch of facts about flowers

* 250,000 plants have been used to produce Darlington's entry.

* 50 types of plants have been used, and 250 varieties of plant.

* 220 grow bags adorn the bus shelters and businesses.

* Philophia has been used for the first time in the town's displays.

* Four men have spent an estimated 2,080 hours each watering the town's displays.

* 90 tubs have been used to grow the bedding plants.

* 60 full time staff have maintained the floral displays.

* 13 roundabouts have been sponsored by local businesses.

* 254 hanging baskets are on display around the town.

* 14 large troughs need 800 gallons of water each week.