WHILE the warmer weather has eluded gardeners, hard-working Wharfedale and Aireborough In Bloom volunteers are preparing to spring into action.

The judges for the new-look regional Yorkshire in Bloom contest have announced the dates they will visit local towns and villages for the crucial first round of judging.

Organisers of the many local In Bloom groups, which are dedicated to making the area look as good as possible, are now calling on members of the community to help out and keep their surroundings tidy. The judges will visit again during the summer months before confirming the overall competition results.

This year the competition will abandon the usual points and league table system, in favour of handing out medals to entrants, as done by the national Britain in Bloom competition. Those entries judged to be of the very highest standard could gain a gold medal, while judges hand out a silver gilt medal, silver or bronze medal according to the standard they feel the community has reached.

For Menston, 2006 marks the villages' first entry to the competition. Menston will be competing in the Small Town Category, and is already getting into the spirit of the contest.

Local organisers Menston in Bloom are busy putting planters in position to complement the village's leafy surroundings, and aim to raise public awareness of the competition. The judges are due to visit Menston on the afternoon of Friday, April 7, to be taken on a tour by Menston in Bloom volunteers.

The group will be distributing letters to villagers shortly about the judges' visit.

Tuesday, April 4, will be one of the busiest days in the area for judging, with judges coming to Otley, Ilkley and Horsforth on the same day. Otley in Bloom believes its good results in recent years have been down to townspeople doing their bit to help the competition entry, and is again asking residents to 'muck in'.

Sylvia Reid, of Otley in Bloom, said: "The main emphasis is really to encourage people to be aware that it's happening again, and if they've got 20 minutes or half an hour spare, maybe just look outside the front of their house and check if its tidy."

Ilkley in Bloom will also be welcoming the judges on April 4, and members are asking residents to help out this weekend with gardening and next weekend with a litter pick. The litter pick and general tidying session will begin in the South Hawksworth Street car park at 10am. Rubbish bags and litter pickers will be provided.

Kate Brown, of Ilkley in Bloom, said: "We would welcome anyone who could lend a hand." The group is also seeking volunteers for regular Sunday morning gardening sessions, including this Sunday.

Anyone interested in helping can contact Kate Brown on (01943) 604521.

Yorkshire in Bloom judges will visit Horsforth Museum on April 4 before Horsforth in Bloom volunteers take them on a tour of the village. Chairman of the group, David Read, said: "We're asking people to help as much as they can. We're going to have a party going around this weekend cleaning up along the route. He said the group was always seeking more volunteers to help in its work, and anyone interested can call him on (0113) 2585770. Horsforth in Bloom is working on a number of projects to add to Horsforth's surroundings.

Guiseley residents are also being urged to keep their corner of town tidy ready for the visit of the judges on Friday, April 7. Guiseley Brass Band and British Legion members will accompany the judges when they visit the memorial garden, and the judges will also be introduced to Springfield close to Aireborough Leisure Centre, which members of the community are focusing their attention upon.

Addingham will welcome the judges on Wednesday, April 12, which members of Addingham Garden Friends hope will give their blooms the chance to make up for the recent wintry conditions.

Don Barrett, of Addingham Garden Friends, said new features should be on show for the judges' visit, including the eagerly-awaiting new fountain beside Addingham Library. The group has also made the Rose Garden more accessible to disabled people.

Meanwhile in Hawksworth Village, In Bloom organisers have decided to take a year out from the competition. Hawksworth has been one of the most successful local entrants in Yorkshire in Bloom.

And Bramhope's In Bloom volunteers have opted to take another year out of the competition, to keep up the good work improving the surroundings in the village.