HUNDREDS of hanging baskets have been installed around Weymouth as the town prepares to take part in the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition for the first time.

Judges will be welcomed to the town on July 15 following weeks of preparation to spruce up the town with flowers and plants. A total of 311 hanging baskets have been installed, with weed removal, painting work, deep cleaning and shop front overhauls also taking place ahead of the judging.

Efforts have been led by Weymouth BID (trading as We Are Weymouth) alongside Weymouth Town Council, Dorset Council and volunteers.

The national competition recognises communities of all sizes with a focus on three main criteria - horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Starting at Greenhill Gardens, judges will be escorted along the seafront, through the town and along St Alban Street, past the iconic St Mary’s Church, before heading over the Town Bridge with a short stop to see the bridge in operation followed by a walk along the harbour through to Hope Square.

Dawn Rondeau, We Are Weymouth’s Chief Operations Officer said: “The work that has taken place throughout the community to prepare the town for the Britain in Bloom judges has been phenomenal.

"We chose to take part in this competition after seeing many business owners using their time in lockdown to carry out maintenance and repairs to their properties. We felt that as the changes made during the past year have been incredibly positive this would recognise the endeavours of the business community whilst giving the town a well-deserved boost.

"As part of our contribution to the preparations, We Are Weymouth has worked with Weymouth Town Council to highlight the work of the parks and gardens team under the leadership of Tara Williams as well as mobilise teams from both Weymouth and Dorset Council in organising for weed removal, railings to be repainted, bins cleaned or moved, roads and streets deep-cleaned and shop fronts spruced. As well as this, We Are Weymouth provided the beautiful hanging baskets you can see throughout the town - which locals and visitors alike comment on year after year.”

Since its beginnings in the 1960s, Britain in Bloom has showcased the very best of U.K. communities in bloom and now encourages community projects and partnerships across the country.