RESIDENTS, traders, schools and community groups are being urged to say it with flowers and make Malvern a winner.

For the first time ever, Malvern will be entering the Heart of England regional heat of the Britain in Bloom competition.

Malvern Town Council is forming a steering committee to guide efforts. Invitations have gone out to traders, Malvern Civic Society, the Conservators, and others to join.

Mayor Ralph Madden said: "If we do it right, Malvern will become a far more attractive place and one that more people will want to visit.

"We are behind the project and we want to get as many people and interest groups as possible involved."

Town clerk Richard Chapman said: "We've been building up our floral displays year by year since 2002. We now feel the town is in a good position to enter the competition.

"What we really need is some community leadership. It's not just about flowers but also about cleanliness and removing grot spots."

"We're looking for business sponsorship for planting on a roundabout at Townsend Way. We're also looking for support from the district council on efforts to upgrade Belle Vue island and Rosebank Gardens."

Great Malvern Primary School is already involved, planting snowdrops outside the train station.

The town council is again supplying flower baskets and traders can buy them for the same price as last year. They are £25 for a 16-inch basket, £27 for an 18-inch and £15 for a trough.

For more details, call Katy Palmer on 01684 566667.