Proud owners of gardens, pubs and care homes are being challenged to help their town bloom this summer by taking part in an annual competition.

Ilkley in Bloom is inviting entries in the five categories of its competition for gardens in Ilkley and Ben Rhydding, ready for judging next month.

Winners of last summer's competition included The Yard, on Brook Street, Westwood Lodge, on Westwood Drive, Abbeydale, on Grove Road, and Colbert Avenue resident Cath Birch.

There were four categories in the contest last year, but this year they have been reorganised into five categories.

This year's categories are: private gardens visible from the road; nursing and care homes; commercial premises; tourism (to include accommodation providers); public houses and restaurants.

The Ilkley in Bloom group co-ordinates the town's entry into the regional Yorkshire in Bloom contest, and, in 2004, steered Ilkley to victory in the national Britain in Bloom competition.

Anyone who would like to know more about the competition or is interested in entering it, should contact Lorraine Hockey on (01943) 600869 or Kate Brown on (01943) 604521.

Entries most have been received by Monday, June 5. Judging takes place on Wednesday, June 28.