THERE'S still time for Malvern groups to enter the It's Your Neighbourhood category in this year's Heart of England in Bloom awards.

Although the town is taking a year out from the national Britain on Bloom competition, following its success in last year's competition, organisers are encouraging entries for the regional competition.

John Jordan, chairman of Malvern in Bloom, says there have been eight entries so far, but with the deadline set for Sunday, May 30, there is still time for new entries to register.

He said: "Three of the entries we've had so far, from the Beauchamp Community in Newland, Dalvington and the Link Nursery in Powick, are groups that have entered the competition before.

"This means we have five new entries this year, and they are the Clarence Park Village retirement complex in the Link, Friends of Great Malvern Cemetery, Arcos, the charity based in Avenue Road, Storer Court retirement complex in Geraldine Road and , and Malvern Social Education Centre, also in Geraldine Road.

"There's still time for anyone else to enter if they want to, and we'd be delighted to see more entries."

Last year Malvern was awarded the Silver Gilt title for its entry in Britain in Bloom's large town category, as well as winning a gold medal in the Heart of England award.

Mr Jordan and the Malvern in Bloom committee decided to take 2015 off in order to prepare for entering the national contest again the following year.

The It's Your Neighbourhood campaign was set up as part of Britain in Bloom by the Royal Horticultural Society to volunteers to band together for community gardening projects, such as looking after local green spaces.

Anyone interested can contact Eadwine Brown at Malvern Town Council on 01684 566667, or Mr Jordan on 01684 566760.