Help us make our fine city look 'blooming' marvellous, was the message from the Norwich in Bloom team at the weekend.

The Friends of Norwich in Bloom launched their 2012 campaign at the Forum on Saturday, joined by Norwich lord mayor Jenny Lay and the sheriff of Norwich Chris Higgins.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, secretary of the friends, said it was an extra special year for the organisation as it was celebrating its 25th anniversary.

She said: 'We were really pleased with the amount of people who came to see us. We hope as many people as possible will take part.'

The Norwich in Bloom summer competition, in partnership with Chapelfield, will this year include awards for best diamond jubilee display and best Olympic display as well as a huge range of other awards divided into commercial and industrial, private residential, grow your own, heritage, and sustainable display classes.

The friends are also running a Bloomin' Ale Trail, supported by Woodforde's Brewery, to coincide with Norwich City of Ale from May 31 to June 10, and the public will be asked to vote for which pubs have the best displays.

There is a separate competition for schools.

The friends have already run two school competitions this year with the winners highlighted at Saturday's launch. Magdalen Gates Pre-School was named the winner of a daffodil competition, with Catton Grove Primary School and Angel Road Infant School also submitting great entries. Seven-year-old Riya Reji from Chapel Break Infant School was the winner of the Friends' 25th anniversary logo competition, with her cheerful design, left, of a sunflower incorporating the Norwich in Bloom initials.

Visit www.norwichinbloom.co.uk or call Julie Brociek-Coulton on 07786 694325.

Are you launching a new community campaign? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428.