FANTASTIC floral displays wowed judges who were giving their critique for an annual competition.

Entrants across the town were busy making sure everything was spick and span before the Colchester in Bloom judges turned up.

The group of ten were on a whistle stop tour of shops, churches, pubs, restaurants and even front gardens which had been entered into this year's competition.

The team was made up of the mayor and mayoress Nick and Elizabeth Cope along with Darius Laws, Don Quinn, Paul Leatherdale and Sam Good.

Also joining them was David Carter, Sherry Hodgson, David Downs and Jan Stilts.

The East of England Co-op provided three limousines plus chauffeurs for the judging so everyone went around in style.

The judges praised the displays and said the standard was better overall than in 2018.

Now the green fingered entrants face a nervous wait with the awards ceremony not until October.

Pam Schomberg, chairman of Colchester in Bloom said: "Next year we hope for many more entries. There are some splendid front gardens out there that were not entered, and any new business entry can only add to the improvement of our town.

"The judges said generally the standard overall was up on last year, which is good news."