By Saul Cooke-Black

STONEHOUSE is all set to blossom for judging day of England in Bloom.

High street shops and the town council have donated hanging baskets – and volunteers have been hard at work pulling up weeds.

It is the first time in eleven years that the town has entered the competition – and with judging day on July 7, there is still time to play a part and put the flowers out.

Gary Powell, chairman of the Stonehouse in Bloom committee, said: “We are very excited to be part of this event.

“Many Stonehouse-based companies and the local high street businesses are involved.

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase our community spirit.”

Volunteers have been hard at work weeding and sprucing up the town since May.

Becky Amos, Secretary of the committee, said: “It’s been a lot of hard work but it has been really nice to see the community come together.

“We’d all love to see a gold award but it is the first year we have entered for a long time so we will have to wait and see.”

Judges will visit the town from 10.15am on July 7, when they will decide if the town gets a bronze, silver or gold award.

And it has not only been flowers brightening up Stonehouse in recent weeks.

No doubt helping the in Bloom bid has been the campaign to paint Stonehouse pink.

Run in conjunction with the Stonehouse Arts Festival, high street shops have been preparing pink window displays ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness week from Monday June 29 to Saturday July 4.

Staff have been also wearing pink T-shirts, and one hairdresser has even dyed her hair pink.

Maidenhill School is also supporting the campaign by adopting a pink theme for its fashion show.

On Sunday June 28, the final touches will be added to the campaign, when trees around the town will be wrapped in pink.