THE Royal Horticultural Society saw the borough at its best on Wednesday, as judging began for the Britain in Bloom competition.

Judges Martyn Hird and Mel Henley started at the Town Hall and toured the town, enjoying the results of the efforts of schools, businesses and communities in making their town bright and blooming as well as conserving what it already has.

The resort will be judged on horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility and community participation, but regardless of the outcome, the fact it has been nominated for the prestigious national competition is testament to the hard work and ability of the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston in Bloom committee and volunteering members of the Great Yarmouth public.

Cllr Sue Hacon, who coordinated the efforts, said: “Getting to this stage means we did very well in the regional competition last year.

“I am feeling happy with what all the town’s volunteers have done, I could not have asked my committee and the community to work any harder.

“I hope it means a lot to the town, we are a large town with a population made of lots of different backgrounds and this has been a real community effort.”

Prior to the tour, judges met the In Bloom volunteers and Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Cllr Colleen Walker at the Town Hall and were shown a video of the history of Yarmouth and the journey it has taken over 20 years, highlighting the work done to improve the town centre.

Mr Hird said it was a “great pleasure for us to come to the town and see it looking it’s best, thank you all very much for coming out and meeting us.”

He later added: “The town has a fairly good track record nationally, we love coming here. The floral side is obviously very important in a seaside town, but also the community that make it happen.”

Mr Henley said: “We feel we are among friends, people who share the same values as you and it is always a very pleasant experience.”

For the judges of the leading horticultural competition and campaign, the recognition an area gets should be as much about conservation as fresh blooming flowers.

“You have some fantastic natural areas and it will be good to see how they are managed and how the local flora and fauna are managed,” said Mr Henley.

“It is a mixture with the formal planting and how the natural environment is looked after, how Great Yarmouth conserves and supports what it already has.”

The results of the judging for the RHS Britain in Bloom competition will be announced in October.