JUDGES from Heart of England in Bloom were in Coventry on Wednesday to consider the city’s entry into this year’s competition.

Mike Garwood and Nicola Clarke were shown several sites as part of the city’s entry in the regional Large City category.

Coventry is up against rival cities Wolverhampton and Birmingham for the regional prize.

The judges visited the War Memorial Park, Sherbourne Fields School in Rowington Close, Coundon, allotments in Allesley and the University of Warwick grounds before being taken on a tour of the city centre.

Mr Garwood, chairman and judge of Heart of England in Bloom, said: “The competition isn’t just about how many hanging baskets a city has got but it also takes in recycling, biodiversity and community development.

“Areas could have the most beautiful flowers and gardens but it wouldn’t mean they get an award.

“Flowers take up just 50 per cent of the mark so we are looking for ways the community is involved too.”

Ms Clarke said it had been good to revisit some of the sites they had been to last year. One of those was the allotments in Allesley.

She said: “The allotments had just been taken over the Coventry Carers group when we visited last year and it is staggering to see how they have improved since then. They have worked so hard.

“It was also lovely to see the War Memorial Park.

“Although there is some development work going on there are some fabulous trees there and it is an absolute treasure.”