Organisers of Thornton Heath in Bloom are hoping for a bumper year of entries as people spend more time on their gardens during the lockdown.

This years hotly contested categories include: best front garden, business frontage or organisation, concrete front space, children’s plants or vegetables and most attractive THCAT street planter.

Thornton Heath Community Action Team, which organises the annual event are looking for the best planting in Thornton Heath with prizes awarded for the top three in five categories.

Around 80 entrants came to the prize-giving last year with 117 entries, including street planters, compared to the 39 entries in the first year.

Chair of THCAT Linda Watson said about the competition which is in its fifth year: “We need to stay positive through this peculiar time and there’s no better way than sprucing up your front garden with beautiful, varied and bright plants. 

“While people are isolating or distancing, growing and tending plants is very therapeutic and particularly good for children.”

Entry forms need to be submitted by Friday July 10 with judging taking place between July 14 and 22.

The awards ceremony for entrants will be held when possible so make sure you supply your contact details.

For more information and for the entry form visit: www.thorntonheath.net.

Either email or post your entry form through the letter box at The Salvation Army at 66 High Street.