Green-fingered townsfolk are being urged to help prevent Shipley's bid for glory in the Yorkshire in Bloom contest from withering.

Last summer the Telegraph & Argus reported how the Shipley Town Centre Development Partnership had sown the seeds which could see the town entered in the prestigious competition for the very first time.

The idea has been mooted at Neighbourhood Forums - but so far appeals for people to help form a committee to get the project off the ground have borne no fruit.

But the partnership is now renewing its appeal in a bid to get Shipley in the contest - entered by neighbouring Bingley for the first time last year - in 2001.

Town Centre manager Bob Parker said: "We can't do it solo because of the time involved and other commitments so unless people willing to form a committee come forward we won't be able to enter.

"We'll need someone to chair the group and take the lead but if people do come forward, we'll come up with some money.

"We're not talking about a lot of commitment but we need people who are willing to meet and decide which areas we want judging. If there's anyone out there with experience of Yorkshire in Bloom we'd particularly like to hear from them.

"There are some nice recreational areas like Crowgill Park which would help showcase the town and some floral displays in Shipley which we're always looking to improve.

"But we'd also need to get some pubs, shops and other businesses involved to do their own displays.''

Development partnership chairman Councillor Tony Miller (Lab, Shipley East) said: "There must be loads of experienced gardeners out there and we're looking for them and potential committee members to come on board and give us the help and support we're looking for.

ANYONE wanting to help Shipley's quest for Yorkshire in Bloom glory should contact Mr Parker on (01274) 757136.

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