YORKSHIRE in Bloom judges have praised Otley's community spirit.

Sue Wood and Keith Jackson visited the town on Wednesday, August 2 to evaluate its merits for the Town category of the Royal Horticultural Society competition.

Otley, following a string of gold Yorkshire in Bloom awards, is hoping to be crowned one of the cleanest and pretties places in the country in the national contest.

The judges were given a tour of the town - taking in sites including Wharfemeadows Park and the Memorial Garden - by members of Otley in Bloom's organising committee.

Ms Wood said: "It’s been great to see how much the community get involved with Otley in Bloom.

"One can tell that entering Britain in Bloom has really galvanised the whole town."

Fellow judge Mr Jackson added: "One of the most important things to emphasise is that the process is not all just about pretty flowers and hanging baskets.

"As well as the horticultural process, we are looking for environmental responsibility and how the community come together to achieve what looks like a very nice place."

Otley, representing Yorkshire, is among 79 villages, towns and cities from around the country to have reached the finals of the competition.

It is vying wiith Barnoldswick (North West), Forres (Scotland), Halstead (Anglia), Pembrey and Burry Port (Wales), Sherborne (South West), St Saviour (Jersey) and Uttoxeter (Heart of England) in the Town class.

Otley in Bloom Chair Katie Burnett, Competition Co-ordinator David Bellerby and member Edie Bates made up the welcoming committee.

Ms Burnett said: "The key thing for us is to make sure that, whether we are successful or not, we use this as a springboard to keep improving the appearance of the town.

"We are already planning for next year and have a meeting at 6.30pm on September 5 to coordinate activities for 2018."

The competition winners will be announced at the Britain in Bloom awards ceremony in Llandudno, Wales on October 27.