CHESTER was brimming with petal pride on Friday as Britain in Bloom judges visited the city.
Chester is representing the North West in the Britain in Bloom competition for the first time since winning the silver award in 2002.
The judges looked at a range of criteria including environmental issues, recycling, community involvement and play areas.
In their whistle stop tour they visited Grosvenor Park and The Queens School, travelling by boat from the Groves to the Sandy Lane aqua park and play area and on to the Caldy Nature Park.
The judges also enjoyed a walking tour of the city centre, meeting the Lord Mayor of Chester John Ebo at the floral giant display outside Chester library before completing their tour at the Roodee racecourse.
The Britain in Bloom judges are travelling across the UK in a two-week whirlwind judging tour to find the 2009 RHS Britain in Bloom winners, visiting 68 towns, villages and cities.
Speaking before the judging tour Roger Burnett, chairman of the judges, said: “We will be looking for how local issues, which affect everyday life, are being addressed 365 days a year through community horticulture.
“For example, planting up a run down area in a city centre can cut petty crime.
“It’s the wider benefits of gardening as a community that underpin Britain in Bloom and make it such a fantastic competition.”
After a successful tour in the sunshine Mr Burnett said: “I wish Chester every success in the competition, the real winners are the people of Chester.”
All the results will be revealed at the RHS Britain in Bloom Awards Presentation, hosted by BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Toby Buckland, at the Riviera International Centre in Torbay on 23 September 2009.
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