The floral wonders and community efforts across Great Yarmouth over the last year have been judged by experts on all things plants and flowers.

Anglia in Bloom judges David White and Nolan Mills have been given a tour of the town and its in Bloom volunteers are hoping to gain another gold award for the town.

Three years ago, Great Yarmouth was awarded its first gold standard award and followed this up with a further two golds in both Anglia in Bloom and RHS Britain in Bloom coastal category.

The judging was the pinnacle of 12 months' work by the In Bloom team and Great Yarmouth Borough Council's operational partner, GYB Services Ltd, to keep the floral displays outside the Town Hall and along the seafront, as well as the wider environment, looking pristine.

The judges were welcomed to the Town Hall by Kerry Robinson-Payne, the mayor of the borough.

During their three-hour tour, the judges were looking for horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Great Yarmouth In Bloom has been busy in St Nicholas' Churchyard, attending to the rose beds there, as well as keeping an eye on the Fishermen's Hospital. This year they have also supplied flower towers outside Christchurch.

More than 160 hanging baskets have been installed in Regent Road, King Street, Deneside, Market Place, Trafalgar Road and Gorleston High Street.

Many hanging baskets have been sponsored by local businesses, as has the display outside the Town Hall.

The Rambouillet twinning flag pole in the bed at the bottom of Euston Road was also supplied by Great Yarmouth in Bloom.

The judges also spent some time with pupils at Alderman Swindell School, where committee members had provided plants and compost to create lovely hanging baskets with the gardening club. Centre 81 was showcased, where, once again, committee members had cleared the pond and helped with gardening.

Cllr Carl Smith, chairman of the council's environment committee, together with Margaret Farrow and Cllr Kay Grey, helped to ensure the judge's route around the town was absolutely spotless on the day.

He said: 'The In Bloom volunteers dedicate so much time and effort every year to help ensure the environment is at its best for residents and visitors, and the borough council is proud to support them and wish them all the best with the judging.'

Sue Hacon, co-ordinator of In Bloom, said she was hoping for another gold result and was very proud of the team for the work carried out throughout the 12 months.

She said: 'The display at the Town Hall is particularly lovely this year and has received many positive comments. We will have to keep our fingers crossed now for the results which will be announced at the Ocean Rooms in Gorleston on Thursday 14th September.

'The committee will now turn their attention to the borough garden competition as it is like visiting old and new friends.'