AS judgement day approaches for Farnham in Bloom, local residents and businesses can help in the final preparations. Judges from South and South East in Bloom will visit Farnham on Thursday, July 7, to assess whether the town has done enough to secure an award in the Town Centre category.

Stephen Hill, the town council’s lead member for Farnham in Bloom, said: “It really is all hands on deck as we prepare for the judges’ visit. Everyone can do their bit just taking a few moments to pick up any litter you see or sweeping up outside your shop, business or home will help our beautiful town look its very best.”

The South and South East in Bloom judges will be taken on a tour around the town, visiting locations including Victoria Garden, Gostrey Meadow and a local infants’ school.

They will also enjoy a dance performance by 150 young people from The Dance Movement. The tour will be taken on foot, giving the judges every opportunity to see the floral displays and other initiatives that contribute towards this year’s entry.

Mr Hill is one of a team of town councillors who will be helping in the final preparations by painting the railings in the town centre. He said: “Last year we won Gold and also won the Regional award in the Town Centre category so the judges’ expectations will be incredibly high.

“They will see plenty of examples of the amazing work carried out for Farnham in Bloom such as our colourful hanging baskets and flower beds, cleaned up grot spots, new recycling bins and signs – to name just a few.

“It would be a terrible shame to lose points for something avoidable such as a piece of litter so I really urge the people of Farnham to support us by helping out with a final clear up ahead of Thursday.”

Judges from South and South East in Bloom will return to Farnham on July 21 to judge the Large Town category and on August 2, the judges from Britain in Bloom will visit.