Ilkley will require some extra flower power if it is to prise Wetherby from the top of the tree in this year's Yorkshire in Bloom competition.

Margaret Welsh, publicity officer of the Ilkley in Bloom committee, believes the North Yorkshire town's impressive 'back up' team provides it with a huge boost during the annual battle for floral glory.

Ilkley has an impressive record in both Yorkshire in Bloom and Britain in Bloom respectively.

For the past two years, Ilkley and Wetherby have been level-pegging after the Spring round of judging, but the North Yorkshire town has always gone on to pip its rival following the Summer judging.

Mrs Welsh and her colleagues believe Ilkley can fight back if more volunteers come forward, with as little as a couple of hours on a Sunday making a real difference.

Mrs Welsh said: "It really would be an enormous help if people could help with some tidying up in a particular part of town or volunteer to help with planting."

The bloom committee. with new chairman Tony Gilroy, has always maintained it is a 12 month operation to make the town look attractive, it would carry on with its work whether bloom competitions existed or not.

However, the town does boast an impressive track record in both Yorkshire in Bloom and Britain in Bloom respectively. In 1990 Ilkley carried off the Britain in Bloom title. It then entered the European Cup of floral competitions - the Entente Florale, narrowly failing to win the competition.

Ilkley Parish Council has also been very aware of the commercial possibilities to be gained from success in the respective competitions - competitions which receive considerable national media exposure.

Anyone wanting to become part of the bloom committee's back-up team can contact Margaret Welsh on 01943 609836 or Tony Gilroy on 01943 609077.

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