FARNHAM Town Council has launched the 2016 Farnham in Bloom schools’ competitions, which are aimed at nursery school children through to secondary school students.

The hanging basket competition is always very popular and involves children visiting the town council’s greenhouses and planting several hanging baskets.

One basket is kept for display in the town centre while the others are looked after in school by the children. In July, the Mayor of Farnham will visit the participating schools to judge the baskets.

Other competitions include designing and building a scarecrow, growing the tallest sunflower, the largest pumpkin and an upside down tomato.

A new competition has been introduced for 2016 that will see children being challenged to put their best foot forward, get creative and grow a flower in a boot.

Stephen Hill, the town council’s lead member for Farnham in Bloom, said: “School children from Farnham have been contributing towards Farnham in Bloom for many years and 2016 will be no exception.

“For us, this year is even more special because as well as taking part in South and South East in Bloom, we have also been invited to enter RHS Britain in Bloom.

“The children really appear to enjoy being involved in the competitions.”

To enter any of the competitions, schools will need to complete and return the registration form that was sent to them by Farnham Town Council - the deadline for entering is April 22. An awards presentation will take place in October.