GREEN-fingered volunteers in a Vale of Clwyd town are set to represent Wales in prestigious Royal Horticultural Society finals.

Denbigh was voted the best town by Wales in Bloom judges in September after volunteers at Denbigh in Bloom dedicated nearly a year to planting colourful floral displays along the town’s streets – including a shrub-filled telephone box – while they repainted nearly 80 bollards.

However after their outstanding effort the not-for-profit group has gone one better and qualified for Britain in Bloom, the longest running gardening competition in the UK and considered a symbol of excellence in community gardening.

It puts towns on the horticultural map, often accompanied by a boost in tourism, while participating gardening groups get tailored advice from RHS experts.

Lyndsey Tasker, chair of Denbigh in Bloom, said the invite is “a huge honour”.

“We took virtually no time at all to say yes,” she said. “This is such a huge honour for the group and we want to do whatever we can to ensure Denbigh looks its best.”

2020 will be an even busier year for the volunteers as they will have to prepare for Wales in Bloom judges in July and then Britain in Bloom in August. The UK competition assesses towns, cities, urban communities and coastal areas in 16 regions, including Wales, Southern England, North East England and Scotland, and awards a score dependent on their horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility and community participation.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Mrs Tasker said. “We want to do whatever we can to ensure Denbigh looks it’s best for both judgings.”

The group will look to secure sponsorship and further community involvement following its work with primary schools, adult support organisations and care homes in Denbigh last year.

“If anyone would like to volunteer with the group as little or much as they wish, this will be gratefully accepted,” Mrs Tasker added.

“If you have something specific in mind please let us know.”

For more information, email denbighinbloom@hotmail.com