HILLINGDON in Bloom 2018 was officially launched at the Rural Activities Garden Centre, Hillingdon.

The free gardening competition is open to all residents and businesses in the borough, and the council is encouraging people of all ages to enter the many different categories.

Gardening enthusiast Julie Bye, from Hillingdon, attended with her son, Dean, and is looking forward to entering her display this year.

She said: “Gardening is my passion and my hobby. My nan got me into gardening from the age of five, and I now have a large garden of my own so I’m looking forward to entering the competition for the third year running.

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“Dean has special needs and loves growing vegetables, which he will enter in the autumn show in September.”

Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, said: “Whether you have a small windowsill that can be revamped with a potted plant, or you're working on a bigger gardening project in the community, we’d like to encourage each and every resident to join in the fun - and get growing for Hillingdon!”

All applications for Hillingdon in Bloom must be submitted by Saturday, June 30. The winners will be announced at the autumn show on Saturday, September 15, at the Great Barn, Ruislip.