GREEN-FINGERED gardening gurus from all over the UK will descend on Comet country later this month for the launch of Britain in Bloom 2007. Every year the Royal Horticultural Society holds a launch seminar for the communities nominated for that particular

GREEN-FINGERED gardening gurus from all over the UK will descend on Comet country later this month for the launch of Britain in Bloom 2007.

Every year the Royal Horticultural Society holds a launch seminar for the communities nominated for that particular year's Britain in Bloom event.

Following the town's fantastic success in last year's competition, when it was judged best small city in Anglia in Bloom and scooped a silver medal in Britain in Bloom, Stevenage has now been chosen to launch this year's event.

Up to 200 delegates from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England and the Channel Islands are expected to attend the event at Stevenage Arts and Leisure Centre on February 28.

There they will be able to get advice on what the judges will be looking for, share ideas with fellow finalists and get tips on how to promote the competition.

Richard Henry, Stevenage Borough Council's executive councillor for environment and e-government, said: "Hosting this year's Britain in Bloom seminar is a tremendous accolade for Stevenage and a great chance for us to show off our vibrant, green and clean environment.

"The silver medal we won last year was an outstanding achievement considering it was the first time we entered the Britain in Bloom finals but we are determined to build on this success and do even better in 2007."

Sue Myson, executive councillor for community and culture, added: "With representatives from all over the UK coming to our town we can't wait to show that Stevenage is not the 'concrete jungle' that some people think it is.