Ilkley'S Britain in Bloom bid will receive a huge boost from several town centre traders who have offered to spruce up their shops with tubs of flowers.

An appeal was recently made for traders to bolster Ilkley's entry in the national competition by displaying tubs of flowers.

Organisers Ilkley in Bloom have arranged with Swincar Nurseries, Guiseley, for tubs of flowers costing £15 to be available to businesses.

Chairman Wendy Hepworth is delighted that the appeal has prompted at least 20 businesses to come forward offering to display the flowers outside their shops.

And she is hoping that other shops in the town will rally to the cause and give their staunch backing to Ilkley's entry into the national competition.

She said: "On the commercial side, businesses are often so busy that that they don't have time to make an effort, so we thought we could arrange for businesses to be able to buy the tubs and have them delivered."

"It means that they don't have the strain of having to organise it themselves."

Ilkley in Bloom has been working all year round and has organised events such as coffee mornings, lunches and outings in a bid to raise cash for this year's entry.

And members of the committee are organising a clear-up of town centre blackspots on May 22 and May 23.

But Ilkley has notched up top places in the national and European competition in the past - and hopes are pinned on this year's bid proving equally successful.

Pat Baker, vice chairman, said: "I think that Ilkley should stand a very good chance this year. It's a naturally beautiful town in wonderful surroundings, so I think that people should make the most of that.

"We hope that shop keepers will make a good effort."

Anyone interested in supporting this year's entry, or finding out more, can contact Pat Baker on 01943 603049.

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