THE search is on for green-fingered residents and business owners to enter the annual Malmesbury in Bloom garden competition.

And once again, running alongside will be the Malmesbury in Bloom multimedia art competition, open to those living or at pre-school or school in the town, who are 18 or younger.

Both annual competitions are run by Malmesbury Town Council, and celebrate the gardening and artistic endeavours of townsfolk, businesses and young people.

There are plenty of categories to enter, and there is no need to have a large open space or garden, because there are even awards for window boxes and containers.

Categories include best street/road/area; best large garden; best small/courtyard/patio garden; best veg patch; and best commercial premises.

There is also an award for sustainable gardening, which isn’t a separate category to enter but is awarded by the judges, looking for an approach to gardening that puts sustainability at its heart.

Malmesbury mayor Phil Exton said: “We are always so impressed with the efforts residents and businesses make to brighten up our beautiful town with fantastic floral displays, and this competition helps celebrate their hard work.

“I am also really looking forward to seeing the entries for the multimedia art competition, as we have some very talented young people in the town.”

The closing date for the garden competition is Friday, July 19 and judging is planned for the following week.

Entries for the art competition must be in by Friday, July 26.

Entry forms for both competitions can be collected from the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in the Town Hall or downloaded from the town council’s website at www.malmesbury.gov.uk

Completed forms can be handed in or sent to the TIC or emailed to tic@malmesbury.gov.uk. For more information email tic@malmesbury.gov.uk.

The winners will be invited to an awards presentation evening at the Town Hall on Friday, September 27.