With more than 40 years of experience behind them, the judges of this year's Anglia in Bloom in the city praised the wealth of flora and fauna presented to them in Norwich.

The comments came from judges Brian Thornton and David White following today's 'pleasurable' four hour tour to see what green-fingered talent was within the city.

The day began at the Assembly House, on Theatre Street, where the judges were shown a collection of bees, made specially for Anglia in Bloom's procession float during the Lord Mayor's Celebration last weekend.

Terry Bane, Friends of Norwich in Bloom chairman of the trustees, said: 'This is perhaps our busiest week of the year with this weekend's floral float entry into The Lord Mayor's street procession just completed, Notcutts local summer competition judging by our team all over the city and the visit of the regional Anglia in Bloom judges to take a look at our fine and floral city.'

Highlights of the tour included a 'throw to grow' mixture on St Stephen's roundabout and Queen's Road where, as part of the commemoration of the start of the First World War, poppies and cornflowers have been sowed.

At St Peter Mancroft Church, near The Forum, in the city centre, Indian summer petunias have been used in basket and container displays.

And City College Norwich students have grown over 10,000 perennial plants from plugs and seeds over the last 12 months, for the occassion. These have been planted in community gardens and used on roundabouts and traffic islands to provide colour as well as a source of nectar and seeds to help sustain the local native wildlife - especially bees.

Speaking after the tour Mr Thornton, who has been judging the competition since 1982, said: 'It's not just a competition - it's also a campaign.

'Our aim is to try and help places to improve and we also give a voice to what we are about and offer tips to help people.'

Mr White, a judge of nine years, added: 'The quality of planting, design, community participation and school involvement - we've looked at all of these aspects.

'Norwich is exciting.'

The tour guides for the day were Julie Brociek-Coulton, Keith Driver and Bill Webster, the driver was Pete Jones and the tour runners were Kerry Annison and Kenny Foyster.

The judges ended the tour with a buffet at the Assembly House with guests.

• For more information about Anglia in Bloom visit www.angliainbloom.co.uk.

• Have you been involved with a special community project in the city? Contact reporter Donna-Louise Bishop on email donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk or phone 01603 693892.