By Saul Cooke-Black

Organisers are calling on Stroud residents to help the town capture a gold award for the fourth year in a row as the town enters Britain in Bloom for the 25th time.

Poor health has meant the seven-strong Stroud in Bloom committee has been reduced to just three stalwart members, meaning it is even more important for residents to play their part.

Organiser Doreen Fisher said: "If everybody just put up one hanging basket or walked outside their front gate and weeded 6ft either way along their street it would be amazing.

"Just a little bit of your time would make all the difference.

"Stroud is such a vibrant place and has so much going for it. If we could win our fourth gold it would help us put the town firmly on the map."

Last year the town, headed by volunteers of Stroud in Bloom, and supported by the Town Council’s Green Spaces team, received the top honour in the Heart of England regional awards for the third year running.

This year’s Britain in Bloom theme is Turning Grey to Green.

Stroud has 29 “adopt a plot” schemes in the town centre with volunteers looking after little plots of neglected land.

They range from a tiny veg plot in St Lawrence’s Church Yard to wildflower meadows created in Merrywalks by Rosary school children and at Brewery Bridge by Stroud Green Spaces.

Doreen is appealing for volunteers to help tidy and weed along Acre Street and Lower Street which are on the judging route.

She says the area is looking "a bit unloved."

She is also appealing for help on July 13 as volunteers make a final sweep of the town centre to ensure everything is rosy for the Britain in Bloom judges’ visit the next morning on July 14.

Scouts and Guides have been helping but Doreen says more support is needed.

On July 13 volunteers will meet at the top of Parliament Street at 6.30pm.

Anyone interested in supporting Stroud in Bloom can contact Doreen on 01453 765218.