As summer hits Great Yarmouth its residents are being urged to make help the borough a floral wonderland by signing up to an annual competition.

Great Yarmouth and Gorleston In Bloom has launched its yearly quest to find gardens, streets, villages and businesses that are filled with colourful plants and flowers.

Last year there were about 150 entries to the competition's 15 categories and co-ordinator Sue Hacon hopes even more people and businesses will enter this year.

Categories include gardens over and under 60 square meters, community housing, best hanging basket, best street and lawn and best pub or restaurant display and commercial premises.

People and businesses across the borough wanting to take part have until July 8 to enter with judges from the in bloom committee then due to visit at the end of July and August.

The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony at Yarmouth Town Hall on September 30.

Mrs Hacon said: 'I think it is about bringing a sense of community to the town.

'It helps to bring an awareness of the environment and people's own spaces.'

As an example of how the competition has sparked an interest in people of all ages, last year Alderman Swindell Primary and Nursery School won the best young people's project category - a repeat of 2014's awards.

Mrs Hacon highlighted how residents of Trafalgar Road have also embraced the awards and she was looking forward to seeing what they would be creating at their homes and gardens this year for the best street category this year.

She also praised everyone who takes part in the competition as it helps the town in its bid to then impress Anglia in Bloom judges.

The in bloom committee are also appealing for people, groups and businesses to sponsor its 150 hanging basket for £37.50.

Any sponsorship will go towards helping communities and school with tools, compost and plants.

Entry forms for the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston in Bloom competition are available at the town hall and from Mrs Hacon by calling 01493 444271 or 07919 811453 or by emailing sue_hacon@hotmail.co.uk

Anyone also interested in sponsoring a hanging basket can contact Mrs Hacon.