VOLUNTEERS and businesses are putting their efforts into sprucing up Darlington's town centre ahead of this year's Northumbria in Bloom competition.

The town has entered the "best city centre" category in the contest, which aims to encourage and celebrate gardening by the community.

The judges had their first tour of the town centre yesterday and will return in July to judge the efforts of the townspeople.

Many businesses will display hanging baskets and have agreed to sponsor and maintain planters around the town centre.

Others, like the Tapas Bar on Bondgate, take a special pride in their floral displays which brighten up the town centre every summer.

The Atisha Kadampa meditation centre has created an eco-friendly community garden on a verge near Feethams roundabout and are looking forward to showing it off to the judges.

Kelsang Dragden, a teacher at the centre, said: “We’re very happy to be able to share a lovely garden space with everyone to enjoy.”

The judges will also see arguably the smallest park in Britain, the Gerald Lee pocket park, created by members of the South Terrace Residents Association and Guerrilla Gardeners Darlington Division.

The park sits under an advertising hoarding at the corner of South Feethams and Victoria Embankment.

Friends groups are hard at work in the four parks in the town centre, alongside Street Scene staff, planting and maintaining bedding plants.

They also carry out litter picks with Darlington's volunteer 'Street Champions', who are dedicated to keeping their neighbourhood clean and tidy.

Other residents regularly join volunteers from Darlington Cares, and Street Scene workers, to carry out litter picks in the town centre.

Darlington Cares volunteers also carry out basic maintenance in the parks; painting benches, mending fences and making sure our green spaces look their best.

Nick Wallis, the council’s cabinet member for leisure and local environment, said: “We are very grateful for all the work that volunteers and our businesses put into the town centre every year to make it attractive for residents and visitors.

“By entering Northumbria in Bloom we want to thank them, and our staff, and showcase their work in maintaining our vibrant, beautiful town centre.”

Spring judging takes place this month, with summer judging taking place in July.

Winners will be announced at the end of September with an awards presentation in Gateshead. Prizes range from gold, (outstanding), to merit.