AN annual competition which seeks to brighten up the borough with flowers has been officially launched.
Applications are now open to gardeners wanting to show of their green-fingered prowess in the annual Brentwood in Bloom contest.
The 2013 instalment, sponsored by Bennetts Funerals, will run until June 7 and will culminate in the Brentwood in Bloom awards ceremony in July.
There are categories for all sizes of plots, including residential gardens, schools, businesses, pubs and religious grounds.
Jane Bennett, the owner of Bennetts Funerals, said: "The aim is to get everyone working together to make Brentwood an even better place to live and work by encouraging a brighter environment with the planting of flowers, shrubs and trees for the benefit of all."
In the past, some of the most fiercely fought categories have been First Entry Front Garden, Best Front Garden and Premier League Front Garden.
For added intrigue, the 2013 competition will be the first in 10 years in which current Brentwood in Bloom champion Bill Rolstone will not be entering.
The 80-year-old who has virtually made the annual event his own, decided to step back from the competition last year, 10 years after lifting his first trophy.
Other categories include the best team effort, best kept public house – front of pub, best kept public house – beer garden, best kept business premises, best maintained religious grounds, best residential accommodation and best allotment.
Ms Bennett added: "Through promoting Brentwood in Bloom 2013 in the Brentwood Gazette we hope to attract even more people to enter the competition and to attract more people to enter the different categories of it."
"We want people to enter all the different categories."
The last entry must be received by June 7 and judging takes place in the week commencing June 24. Prizes are presented on July 12.
Entry forms are available from the town hall in Ingrave Road; Brentwood Community Transport, based at Pepperrell House in the High Street and Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone libraries.
