PEOPLE in Chorley are getting behind the town’s bid for national glory as it gears up to represent the whole of the North West in the Britain in Bloom competition this summer.

Chorley won a gold award in the Royal Horticultural Society’s North West in Bloom competition last year and as a result will represent the North West in the ‘small city’ category of the Britain in Bloom competition this year.

The town is competing against Bath, Bracknell, Crawley, Harrogate, Tamworth, Loughborough and Derry City in Northern ireland.

The judges will visit the town later this year, on a date yet to be announced.

Coun Adrian Lowe, said: “The council has allocated £10,000 to improving our horticultural displays this year, creating a number of specialised features in the town and on the roundabouts on the bypass.

“Plus we’re also creating new features in Astley Park as a lasting legacy such as wildflower meadows and a snowdrop trail, and improving the sensory garden.”