WITH the summer months just round the corner a community group is putting together plans to brighten up Middlewich.

Following on from last year's success, when the town was pronounced winner of the North West in Bloom competition, the Middlewich Community Pride group has organised a wide range of colourful activities to make sure the town remains a big attraction.

The group is planning to adorn the town with hanging baskets, flower tubs and floral displays.

There will be some new features this year and talks are under way with Middlewich and District Round Table to place a planter in memory of founder member Ron Slack and, with Winsford and Middlewich Rotary Club, to place a granite bench in the town to celebrate 100 years of Rotary International.

As reported in last week's Guardian applications for the competition are now available and organiser Carol Eccles is hoping this year will see more entrants than in 2004.

Peter Cox, Middlewich Community Pride chairman, added: "We put Middlewich on the map last year by winning several awards in the North West in Bloom and Community Pride competitions and hope to repeat that success in 2005.

"We are even considering putting on a Middlewich display at the RHS Flower show at Tatton this year. "

l Application forms for the Middlewich in Bloom Competition, must be submitted by June 3.

Copies of the forms are available from the Information Centre and Middlewich Library, in Lewin Street, and Chisholm's Newsagents, in Wheelock Street.