THE borough will bloom again - it just needs gardeners, planters and pruners to do their stuff for the 22nd year running.

The Ealing in Bloom competition began this week by inviting entrants from across the borough, including schools, churches, hotels, allotment holders and home-owners, to dig for victory.

Winners will be dug out by an expert panel of judges and the top three bloomers in each category will be presented with prizes at an awards evening at Ealing town hall on September 16.

The competition has awards for front and back gardens, balconies, allotment plots, floral art, communal gardens, schools, licensed and commercial premises.

The president of the Ealing in Bloom committee, the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Barbara Yerolemou, officially opened this year's contest on Monday, with the winners of last year's large allotment plot category, Councillor Nigel Sumner and his wife, Lynne.

Mr Sumner, chairman of Ealing in Bloom, said: "This competition is about rewarding people for having a beautiful garden and showing that it's fantastic to grow your own food and eat it.

"It shows Ealing is not just concrete, there is a brightness about it. The competition brings people together, parks look better and people have more interest in shrubs and trees."

* Entry forms are available from libraries and the borough's town halls or by calling the Ealing in Bloom hotline on 020 8992 2648.