People and businesses in Otley are being urged to pull out all the stops to boost its entry in this year's Britain in Bloom competition after a disappointing result in 1998.

Organisers say community spirit is the key to success in the competition and have appealed for widespread support for the 1999 bid.

Otley came fourth in the county towns category in 1997 but last year it slipped to second from bottom in the spring judging for county towns - although it rose to ninth place overall in the summer.

Town councillor Jennifer Clifton compared Otley's performance in last year's competition to the previous year's success.

She said: "What we really need to do is decide whether this was a one-off or whether this is symptomatic and we need to have a radical look."

And Richard Gill, a floral initiative officer at Leeds City Council, has called for traders and residents to work together.

Mr Gill said: "Town councils and city councils can put resources into entries until they're blue in the face, but at the end of the day, the whole ethos of Britain in Bloom is a community-led initiative."

Last year the Gallows Hill Nature Reserve and volunteers' work at Wellcroft Park were praised by the judges.

And Tonia Hearne, president of Otley's Chamber of Trade, said she was delighted that last year's shop window displays were also singled out.

She added: "I walked with the judges through the town and they were impressed with the windows - especially those in empty buildings. "

Now she has issued a plea to fellow businesses to rid their shop fronts of dead leaves and plant new greenery.

She said: "There's a desperate need for everybody to work together and get some more flowers. People tend to put them up during the summer and then the baskets are left for months. If the town looks nice, people want to look at it and traders will benefit."

In addition, Otley Chamber of Trade and Otley Town Council are planning a brochure showing Otley's long-term commitment towards the environment.

And Prince Henry's Grammar School is holding a competition - with a cash prize or a shield as reward - for students who tidy up the town centre or carrying out other community-based schemes.

Organisers say they would welcome much-needed support from groups or individuals in the town who would like to be part of the Britain in Bloom committee. Town clerk Les Cross added: "A committee is of vital importance to the competition."

Anyone who is interested in joining the committee or helping to shape this year's entry for Britain in Bloom should contact Les Cross at the civic centre on (01943) 466335.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.