BUSINESSES will be doing their bit to liven up the town centre next weekend in the Great Malvern Floral Festival.

The festival, now in its sixth year, is being at the same time as the Royal Horticultural Society's Malvern Spring Festival at the Three Counties Showground.

Judges from the RHS will be in the town centre onThursday, May 8, to judge the competition, in which town businesses vie to create unusual floral displays.

Previous years' entries have wowed the RHS judges with their imaginative use of natural materials and re-invention of traditional floristry.

Last year the winner was Brays of Worcester Road, whose stunning Wallace and Gromit-inspired aeroplane that captured the judges’ hearts, and also those of the town residents.

This year 12 businesses are fighting it out on the theme of Once Upon a Time. The winner will be announced at an official prize giving on Belle Vue Island at noon on Saturday, May 10, and the organisers are very excited to have TV gardener Chris Collins awarding the winners prizes.

Chris has worked on the likes of BBC Gardeners World, Blue Peter Garden and This Morning, and is well known for working with children around the country to develop school gardens.

There will also be live music to enjoy from local band Jazz Alchemy between 11.30am and 2pm.

To find out more, pick up a leaflet at Malvern Tourist information Centre, or visit floralfestival.moonfruit.com.