Ilkley’s bid to regain its Britain in Bloom title is under way after the town was formally entered into the competition.

Yorkshire in Bloom yesterday confirmed the town would be put forward as the county’s representative in the ‘Town’ category of the national competition.

And now efforts will be made to regain the title last won in 2004, but narrowly missed in 2009.

Ilkley’s eight competitors include Halstead in Essex and St Saviour in Jersey, which both won silver gilts in last year’s competition.

But after winning Yorkshire in Bloom in the summer, the Ilkley team are hopeful they can star in this year’s competition despite being held up by the weather in recent weeks.

“We’ve not been able to do any gardening for most of the past month,” said Ilkley in Bloom’s Kate Brown.

“We’re hoping that things will begin to thaw out now.

“We’re trying to get schools involved, members of the community and other groups.

“Last year there were a lot more floral displays outside businesses, and that’s something we’d like to encourage again.”

Ilkley will also be up against Scottish town Forres, Freckleton in Lancashire, Holyhead in Wales, Oakham in Rutland, Rustington in Sussex and Thornbury in Gloucestershire.

Other Yorkshire representatives in other categories include Whitby, Shadwell, Dunnington, Woodlesford, York and Luddenden.

Chris Beard, chair of Yorkshire in Bloom, said: “The ‘In Bloom’ campaign brings to the fore the best in local communities; educating and creating awareness of the local environment and getting groups to participate in projects to enhance their local areas, making it a better place to live, which is something everyone can contribute to.”