THE planting for Ludlow’s bid to start winning gold again in the Heart of England in Bloom competition is just weeks away.

All the plants have been ordered and the work on the hanging baskets will begin in early May.

This will be followed by planting in the town centre.

Vivienne Parry, who leads the ‘in bloom’ group has made an appeal for people from the town to help with the planting.

After a string of gold awards, Ludlow did not enter the competition in 2022 because Mrs Parry had broken her leg in a fall at home earlier in the year.

She has recently had a follow-up operation and so has limited mobility and will need help.

The previous year the competition was run online because of the Covid-19 pandemic, so this will be the first time in three years that the normal style of competition will take place.

Each year there is a theme and for 2023 it will be the coronation of Kings Charles III. The plants will reflect the colours of the first coronation since 1952.

The Heart of England in Bloom judges will visit the town on Friday, July 7 and it is hoped to hold the lunch reception at the Whitefriars residential development.

Any volunteers to help Mrs Parry are asked to contact her on 01584 873604, 07890 055193 or vivienne.parry@shropshire.gov.uk