York will be bursting with blooms this summer as the city bids to win the title of 'Yorkshire City In Bloom'.

City of York Council is working with partners across the city to get York ready for the judging process. The city will be assessed against other communities of over 100,000 across the county and will be judged on the imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping as well as how it deals with issues of litter, graffiti, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The authority is working closely with existing sponsors of floral displays, Askham Bryan College and businesses in the City Centre Partnership, to kick start the city's bid but is also keen to involve the local community.

Carolyn Dunn from the York City Centre Partnership Ltd, said: "We all wanted to enter this competition because it supports the work we are doing in York to create safer, cleaner and greener local environments for our residents, businesses and visitors to the city.

"We believe that by participating in the competition we can make York an even better place to live, work and visit. By working and involving the local community we know we can improve the environment  through the development of civic pride and community spirit. We want to improve the visual appearance of the city for all and create a good impression to visitors and attract potential business. Through our work in the city we have been addressing many of these issues and I am sure our Yorkshire in Bloom entry will enable us to go further."

Partners have formed a York in Bloom Committee to plan the project ready for the judging in April and July.