Colourful floral displays celebrating Wolverhampton’s rich heritage will be helping the city go for gold year in this year’s annual Heart of England in Bloom contest.

Preparations are already well under way to create fabulous flower displays and pretty plants to brighten up the city and residents are being urged to play their part in making Wolverhampton flourish. And popular historian Carl Chinn is now throwing his weight behind the city’s bid for glory in the contest to be launched at the Novotel on Wednesday.

A panel of judges will be visiting Wolverhampton in the summer to see if it has got what it takes to be awarded a coveted gold medal.

After scooping silver and gilt awards in the past two competitions organisers are desperate to get the top award this time around and prizes will be handed out to residents as an incentive to spruce up their gardens with spectacular displays.

Dr Chinn is leading the Floral City campaign and will be urging people to help make the city bloom at Wednesday’s launch.

Barbara Kay, Wolverhampton City Council’s head of tourism and development, said: “Over the years our entries have turned the city into a palette of colour.

“Residents, businesses and community groups, along with the council and City Centre Company, have put on vibrant and colourful displays of hanging baskets, window displays and floral shows in our green spaces, streets and parks.

“This year we want to make the city brighter than ever and so we are introducing competitions to encourage residents and businesses to decorate their buildings and gardens, with prizes and certificates up for grabs.”

The theme of this year’s event is Local Roots and judges will tour the area looking for displays which celebrate the history and cultural diversity of the area.

For more information about getting involved, call 01902 551070 or email barbara.kay@wolverhamp ton.gov.uk