ARTISTIC youngsters are needed to help paint a wildlife and flowers mural in Great Malvern town centre.

Malvern Town Council wants to decorate and disguise a boarded-up shop front on Belle Vue Terrace before the Heart of England In Bloom judges visit the town on Tuesday, July 10.

"We're hoping a school or youth group might be able to help us add a bit of colour," said Malvern Town Council clerk Richard Chapman.

The mural would be a temporary one, as Ask, the restaurant chain, is due to open a pizza restaurant at the premises later this year.

The mural could be painted on large sheets of hardboard and then attached to the boarded- up shop windows, said Mr Chapman.

He said it would be a shame if the boarded-up premises detracted from Malvern's entry into the In Bloom competition.

The theme this year is Blooming Wild and a mural of colourful wildflowers, insects and animals would be ideal, preferably as big, bold and colourful as possible.

If any school or group would like to paint a mural, they should contact Mr Chapman at Malvern Town Council on 01684 566667 as soon as possible.

Preparations for this year's competition are well underway and organisers are ready to implement an innovative new water harvesting system to keep blooms healthy.

It will take spring water from Rose Gulley, in Back Lane, and pump it into a water tanker which will then be used to water the hanging baskets and troughs.

Mr Chapman added: "The water from there just goes back into the River Severn, so we're chanelling it for the benefit of Malvern.

"We've spoken to the Environment Agency and they think it's a good idea."