STEVENAGE is proud of its clean, green environment. The town has over 350 acres of well maintained open space including parks, woodland, conservation areas, town centre gardens and Fairlands Valley Park. Thanks to the efforts of residents, community group

STEVENAGE is proud of its clean, green environment. The town has over 350 acres of well maintained open space including parks, woodland, conservation areas, town centre gardens and Fairlands Valley Park. Thanks to the efforts of residents, community groups, schools, businesses and council staff, Stevenage always does well in the In Bloom competitions.

This year it has even more to celebrate. Following its success in Anglia in Bloom 2005, Stevenage has been selected to represent the region in the Best Small City category of Britain in Bloom.

Britain in Bloom is the national competition, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in partnership with B&Q. It invites entries from each of the 17 In Bloom regions throughout the British and Channel Islands.

As with the regional competitions, Britain in Bloom encourages communities of all sizes to make positive and lasting improvements to their local area for the benefit of local people. The campaign is the largest of its kind in Europe, and the RHS encourages people to get involved to help create safer, cleaner and greener environments.

Britain in Bloom also promotes good practice in recycling, conservation areas, and other sustainable projects. The judges take account of floral features, permanent planting, cleanliness and how issues such as litter, graffiti and vandalism are dealt with.

Entries are encouraged from all sectors of the community - businesses, community groups, volunteers, schools and local authorities - bringing together the community to achieve real environmental benefits.

Stevenage Borough Council will be co-ordinating the town's entry for Britain in Bloom 2006, in partnership with the In Bloom Forum and representatives from throughout Stevenage.

If you would like to support the town in this prestigious competition, ring 01438 242323, textphone 01438 242555 or email inbloom@stevenage.gov.uk