THE Alcester in Bloom committee fears the problems which caused it to withdraw from the national competition may spread to neighbouring areas next year, writes Helen Clarke.

People who organise the annual effort pulled out from this year's competition after it claimed Stratford Council failed to carry out gardening work in the town.

The committee said certain areas had not been attended to and it would not be fair to bring judges to these parts.

At an Arden Area planning committee meeting several months ago, Councillor Susan Juned proposed a motion that an inquiry should be carried out.

She also said the district councillors who represented Alcester deeply regretted the In Bloom committee's withdrawal from the competition.

But the majority of councillors disagreed and it was resolved that no further action should be taken.