Express & Star

Britain in Bloom judges head to Staffordshire

The sun shone brightly as Britain in Bloom judges arrived in a Staffordshire village for its first entry in the competition.

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Roger Bache, Stephen Middlehurst, Warren Fisher and Jane Hadley with James Slim

Essington in Bloom organiser James Slim hoped villagers' hard work had paid off following the visit on Monday.

Work has included created gardens at the village church and school as well as cleaning the parish's Millennium Stone.

Litter pickers have also been hard at work clearing the village of rubbish.

Essington in Bloom has entered the large village category of the competition.

Mr Slim, who is also a councillor in the village, said: "I've only been councillor for around five months and I thought early on it would be a great idea to enter the village into Britain in Bloom.

"If anything, it has been good seeing the village come together, young and old, for the entry."

He added: "The judges appeared impressed by what they saw. We look forward to the result in a few months. Fingers crossed."

Results of Britain in Bloom will be announced on September 20.