HUNTINGDON has once more beat over 1,000 entries to make it to the Britain in Bloom finals, while the Oxmoor has again been singled out for its community spirit.

It was announced this week that Huntingdon has been selected as a finalist in the large town category and Moor in Bloom has been nominated for the Urban Community category of the 2012 Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom.

It is the second year Huntingdon has made it through to the national competition. Last year, the town scooped a gold award at the finals, but missed out on the top spot to Glenrothes in Scotland.

This year Huntingdon will be pitched against Belper in the East Midlands, Stone in Staffordshire, St Helier in Jersey, Dumfries in Scotland, Chicester in West Sussex, Truro in Cornwall, Coleraine in Ireland and Knaresborough in Yorkshire.

Volunteers are already preparing for the Huntingdon in Bloom entry, said committee secretary Ann Colbert.

Plans are to create an Olympic-themed display at the Riverside Park and in Hartford. A crown design is envisaged to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee at the canon in Brmapton Road.

Ms Colbert said: “The committee is pleased and both councils [Huntingdon Town Council and Huntingdonshire District Council] are both pleased. Despite the reduction in budgets, we are planning to do a lot this year to celebrate the Olympics and the Jubilee.

“It is going to be bright and cheerful, something to remember. I think the Jubilee and the Olympics has provided that bit of extra impetus to lift the doom and gloom we have had recently.”

Local businesses are being urged to help support the initiative, and entries are welcomed for the local garden competition.

Moor in Bloom will celebrate its fourth appearance at the national finals.

The community project will be up against rivals in Kings Heath, Birmingham, London Bridge, Seedley and Langworthy in Salford, Dyce in Aberdeen, Chirk in Wrexham and Kippax in Leeds.

Among the ideas for this year’s entry are plans to work with five Huntingdon schools to create an Olympic ring display.

Georgie Andrews, who recently took over from Brian Gardner as committee chairman said: “We are delighted. It is especially good because our category Urban Community, is very much about the work of dedicated volunteers. Without them we wouldn’t be doing half the stuff we are doing.”

Britain in Bloom judging will take place in July and August, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October at St Peter Port, Guernsey.

INFORMATION: To offer funding or help for Huntingdon in Bloom e-mail huntingdoninbloom@btinternet.com. To find out more about Moor in Bloom call Ms Andrews on 01480 453960 or e-mail georgie.andrews@waitrose.com.