Judges ran the rule over months of hard work today, when they inspected King's Lynn's entry for this year's Anglia In Bloom awards.

One said the effort really showed, as they toured displays in parks and open spaces around the town.

Elizabeth Nockolds, chairman of King's Lynn's in Bloom committee, said some 'really beautiful' displays had been created this year.

'The weather has been atrocious,' she said. 'We have had an early summer, a hosepipe ban and now floods but by the looks of it the plants have enjoyed it.

'I am so pleased and amazed by it all.'

Judge Nolan Mills, who was awarding marks with colleague Brian Gardner, said: 'The effort really shows, the beds at Tower Gardens with the sustainable plants were very impressive.'

Towns and communities around the region take part in the annual In Bloom competition, which is run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).

Judges look for community participation, horticultural expertise and environmental sustainability.

Lynn's entry this year has incorporated themes celebrating the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games, with an Olympic Torch design on display in The Walks.

Tower Gardens also demonstrated the use of environmentally sustainable plants, with a special diamond jubilee bed created using carpet bedding.

This year the Kings Lynn in Bloom committee has also launched a new community allotment in which residents can work in groups or individually to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers. Two beds in the Walks formed Olympic rings out of different coloured flowers.

In Bloom results are expected to be announced in late September.