THE search is on for the city’s best gardens in this year’s Oxford in Bloom competition.

The contest is open to all residents and businesses within the city boundary, with the closing date for entires in July.

This year, Oxford City Council decided it would not take part in the Britain in Bloom competition due to a lack of funds.

But Oxford in Bloom, which is backed by the Oxford Mail, is now in its 21st year and organisers are hoping for a bumper crop of entries, despite the recession.

Chairman Karen Roberts said: “Oxford in Bloom is coming of age this year – it’s a very well-established competition and we’re hoping for a large number of entries.

“Usually we get about 600 and we want to match that this year, even though there’s a recession.

“People do spend a bit of money and invest in making their gardens look nice, but we hope that will not deter gardeners from getting involved.

“Even if you have a modern house with a very small garden, you can still enter and there are lots of different categories, to encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”

Categories include Best Kept Small Front Garden, Best Kept Large Front Garden, Most Beautiful Hanging Basket, Most Florally Attractive Window Box, and Under-11 Planter.

There are also a number of categories in the business section, including Best Schools Environment Project. The organisers are hoping shops, factories, pubs and offices will enter to brighten up the city.

Ms Roberts added: “It would be great if we get lots of entries from families from all over the city.

“It’s something that children can get involved with and really enjoy.”

The official launch of Oxford in Bloom is being held at Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, at 10.30am next Saturday, attended by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith.

Stuart Fitzsimmons, parks and countryside manager at Oxford City Council, which is helping to organise the contest, said: “Oxford in Bloom is a great event and we would encourage residents to get involved in it.”

This year’s winners will beannounced at a presentation evening on September 17 at Roman Way Sports and Social Club.

To take part, fill in and return the formon this page. For more details of the contest, see oxford.gov.uk/ leisure/oxford-in-bloom.cfm