This year's Oxford in Bloom competition, sponsored by the Oxford Mail, promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Gardeners are invited to start entering from today and there are 22 different categories to choose from - ranging from the most beautiful balcony to the best kept public house.

Karen Roberts, chairman of the Oxford in Bloom committee, said: "This year with Oxford in Bloom we are hoping to build on our previous successes.

"We are hoping to regain the people who had to pull out of the competition last year due to the hosepipe ban.

"We hope to encourage new people to enter - it does not matter how big your garden is, there will be a category for you.

She added: "We would love to have more entrants from children as they are the gardeners of the future."

All kinds of different gardens can be entered into the competition, as well as hanging baskets, window boxes, and balconies.

Schools are invited to take part in an environmental project and universities and colleges can also get involved, with a prize for the best display by such an establishment.

Last year there were more than 300 entries - but it is hoped there will be even more this year.

People have until July 16 to get their entries in and judging will start on July 23 and go on all week.

Judges include John Alcock, a former nursery manager, and former Oxford in Bloom winners Harry Robinson and Trish Stevens.

Mike Gass, coordinator for Oxford in Bloom, said: "The committee is very pleased and appreciative that the Oxford Mail is continuing to support the competition for another year.

"Last year was a bit disappointing because there was a hosepipe ban so quite a few people had to pull out, but we are hopeful that is not going to be the case this year and we can get the competition back to the full amount.

"We have already had our first application, which is fantastic, and fingers crossed this year's competition should be really good."

He added: "I think Oxford is the second or third most visited city in the UK and when you see all the floral displays in the city itself and look at all the people's gardens that adds to the betterment of Oxford.

"It's creating a sense of civic pride which is really important."

The winners will be announced at a special presentation evening on September 20.

Oxford in Bloom also runs an allotments competition, in which several hundred people take part.

The judging for that competition, which is run separately, will be over two phases in June and in August.