ALTON has been selected from more than 1,000 entrants to take part in the Royal Horticultural Society 50th anniversary Britain in Bloom UK finals.

In the 2014 competition, in the RHS's 50th anniversary year, Alton will be representing the Southern Region in the Large Towns category.

Southern Region nominated Alton to the national finals following the regional stage of judging in 2013.

Town council recreation committee chairman Sue Hodder said: "Alton was selected for engaging every element of the community, for an exceptional commitment to helping the environment and for horticultural excellence."

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.