MEMBERS of Thornton in Bloom have vowed to dig deep in memory of their former chairman, long-serving former councillor Valerie Binney, who died last summer, in a bid to improve on last year's silver award.

Steve Stanworth, who took over as chairman of the village's in Bloom group earlier this year, described how its members were more determined than ever and were pulling out all the stops in an effort to hit gold.

He told the Telegraph & Argus: "We wanted to improve on what we had done before. We had a silver last year, so we are striving to get a silver gilt or gold award this year in memory of Valerie Binney.

"She was a member from the start in 2008 and had been the chairman right through to last year - she was the guiding force and it is going to be a hard act to follow.

"One of the points we fell down in in previous years was not getting enough young people, different groups and businesses involved. So this time we have been in contact with the Rotary clubs, Antiquarian Society, Brownies and Scouts groups about getting involved."

He added that judges from Yorkshire in Bloom had visited earlier this week and had been impressed with the changes.

"We had some very positive feedback," he said. "All the areas that we needed to improve on, we have done so. They were very impressed, so we are looking at getting ready for the summer round of judging in July."

He said they would be looking at some more diverse planting, including some wildlife planting and would be getting the local schools involved too.

They will also be carrying out litter picks every two weeks in order to keep the village clean and tidy.

Mrs Binney had been involved in politics for 40 years and had served as a Conservative councillor for the Thornton and Allerton ward for 19 of those. She died, aged 75, at Manorlands Hospice after fighting Motor Neurone Disease.

Anyone wanting to help the Thornton in Bloom effort can contact Mr Stanworth on s.standworth@hotmail.co.uk.

Yorkshire in Bloom organises the annual competition to encourage communities to make a positive and lasting improvement to their local environment for the benefit of local people.

The competition is assessed by local judges on criteria developed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Marks are awarded with Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver and Bronze awards available.

An annual ceremony is held in September at which the awards are announced.