WISBECH’S parks and gardens were presented in all their glory as judges from Anglia in Bloom visited to decide whether to bestow the town with its fifth consecutive gold medal.

Nolan Mills and Brian Gardner were also escorted by Fenland District Council parks and open spaces manager Bob Ollier to Whittlesey as the town made its first entrance into the annual RHS contest.

The judges arrived at Elgoods Brewery at 9am on Tuesday (July 17) and were taken round a series of locations including the Nene waterfront, Wisbech General Cemetery and Wisbech Park, where the stunning Keep It Tidy carpet bed was on show.

Brain Massingham and Penny Stocks, from the Wisbech in Bloom voluntary group, also joined the tour which took them to Tillery Field, St Peters Primary School and Octavia View.

Mr Massingham said: “We have worked harder than ever this year, in particular setting up our own poly tunnels and rain water harvesting system to contend with the hose pipe ban.

“We hope to achieve our fifth consecutive Gold Award in 2012.”

Mr Ollier added: “We hope that all the hard work that’s gone in will help Wisbech to retain the Gold Medal.

“With Whittlesey, it would be nice to hope that it will get on the step of the ladder with a bronze medal.”

Both entrants also had to provide a portfolio for the judges showing their year round activity, as well as details of floral displays judges are not able to inspect on the day.

The Anglia in Bloom results will be announced at Burgess Hall, in St Ives, on September 11.