A CITY’S bid for horticultural glory is underway.

Durham City will be going for gold as a finalist in this year’s national Britain In Bloom competition.

The city won gold in last year’s competition and earlier this week several of the bodies involved in Durham’s bid got together at the Town Hall to launch their attempt to repeat that success.

Oliver Sherratt, head of direct services, Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted to officially launch Durham’s Britain in Bloom campaign.

“It is fantastic for the city to be again nominated as a finalist in such a prestigious, national competition which is testament to the incredibly hard work put in by all the partners and volunteers involved.”

Group members will be working on a range of environmental improvements and projects as they bid to secure a top award in the contest, run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Organisers of Durham’s bid say they aim to bring communities together to transform their public open spaces.

Britain in Bloom judges will arrive in Durham in the summer to cast their eyes over the city’s entry before results are announced in the autumn.

For more information visit www.durham.gov.uk/inbloom