FLOWER fans have been left disappointed after Abingdon Town Council pulled out of this year’s Britain in Bloom competition.

The town has entered the national contest every year for more than 16 years.

It won a silver award last year.

But the new Conservative-controlled town council said there was not enough time to organise the entry this year and prepare for a visit from the judges.

Council leader Sandy Lovatt said it would take at least 18 days of work to enter the competition – time they struggled to find due to administrative changes resulting from the election, when control of the council passed from Liberal Democrat to Conservative.

Lib Dem member Samantha Bowring said: “It is a tremendous shame. It is good for morale, it is good for Abingdon and it is good for the town’s reputation.”