Schoolchildren and keen gardeners are being encouraged to sign up to a long-running Norwich horticultural competition.

Eastern Daily Press: Friends of Norwich in Bloom's small garden competition at The Forum. Picture: ANTONY KELLYFriends of Norwich in Bloom's small garden competition at The Forum. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

The Friends of Norwich in Bloom is calling on schools, businesses and green-fingered individuals to create blooming beautiful displays to mark the competition's 30th birthday.

On Saturday, budding horticulturists made miniature gardens and were presented with prizes from the Lord Mayor of Norwich Brenda Arthur as the competitions, run in partnership with Notcutts Garden Centre, were launched at The Forum.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, secretary of the Friends, said: 'Well this year is our 30 years of Norwich in Bloom so it is one to celebrate.

'We've had lots of children down here making gardens - it's been a lot of fun.'

Eastern Daily Press: Friends of Norwich in Bloom's small garden competition at The Forum. Amelia Finch, 9, and her mum Jayne Harrison with their garden.Picture: ANTONY KELLYFriends of Norwich in Bloom's small garden competition at The Forum. Amelia Finch, 9, and her mum Jayne Harrison with their garden.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

The Friends are also after volunteers to help out with various projects.

'There's lots of places for people to help out and we would like more on our action team,' Mrs Brociek-Coulton said.

Roles would include helping clean up areas of the city ahead of judges visits for competitions such as Anglia in Bloom and Communities in Bloom and showing judges around when they arrive.

Deadline for the schools competition is on Saturday, June 11, while the deadline for the summer competition is Thursday, June 23.

Eastern Daily Press: Friends of Norwich in Bloom's small garden competition at The Forum. Ruby Quinn, 7, working on her garden.Picture: ANTONY KELLYFriends of Norwich in Bloom's small garden competition at The Forum. Ruby Quinn, 7, working on her garden.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

This year the summer competition categories include commercial and industrial, private residential, grow your own and heritage.

For schools, the categories include best school floral containers, tallest giant sunflower, best school scarecrow and biggest giant pumpkin.

For more information, visit www.norwichinbloom.co.uk and to get involved with the Friends, call 07786694325

Do you know of a Norwich project we should be writing about? Email lauren.cope@archant.co.uk

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Castle ST*ART Drawing Club. Club member Hannah Marks, 10 with a metal wire drawing.Picture: ANTONY KELLYNorwich Castle ST*ART Drawing Club. Club member Hannah Marks, 10 with a metal wire drawing.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)