Douglas Borough Council is urging ratepayers in the Borough to "release their inner Alan Titchmarsh" and enter this year’s Douglas in Bloom contest.

Entrants are judged on the attractiveness and creativity of their displays in 10 categories:

1) Hotels and guest houses without gardens;

2) Hotels and guest houses with gardens that can be viewed from the road;

3) Private houses with gardens that can be viewed from the road;

4) Business premises garden or floral display;

5) Pub/restaurant/cafe garden or floral display;

6) Public/community garden;

7) Best community project/residential street;

8) Best Douglas Borough Council property (house or apartment);

9) Conservation, wildlife and biodiversity;

10) Secret garden (gardening gems out of public view).

Leisure services committee chairman Councillor Stephen Pitts said, "At the heart of this competition is the aim to make the town more attractive to those who live and work here as well as to those who visit our town.

"Douglas in Bloom is a community initiative that plays an important role in our bid for this year’s Britain in Bloom, a competition where community involvement is a major factor in determining entrants’ overall scores and we are grateful to the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure for putting us forward to represent the Island in this year’s challenge for which we are determined to 'go for gold'."

Council leader David Christian added, "In the spirit of Britain in Bloom I would urge as many ratepayers as possible to enter Douglas in Bloom and, in so doing, make our town a greener more agreeable place, a capital of which we can all be proud."

Entry forms are available from the reception counter of Douglas Town Hall and are also downloadable from the Council’s website - www.douglas.gov.im.

Closing date for entries is 16th July 2010.

A prize presentation will take place in the Council chamber of Douglas Town Hall at the end of the summer.  Photographs of the winners receiving their awards from the Mayor will be displayed in the Town Hall reception for the duration of the year.