RAISING funds, planting baskets and fights over grass cutting - all par for the course in Alcester's annual bid for a coveted prize in the Heart of England Britain in Bloom competition.

But somehow everything was sorted in time for judging day when, it seems, everyone turns up with a smile to add their support to the bid - this year was no exception.

On Thursday, the judges began at St Nicholas Church where local organisations, including Alcester Ladies Choir, waited to greet them. After the VE/VJ celebrations last week, the music evoked memories of war years, there was a model Spitfire on the church green and children from nursery schools dressed as evacuees waved flags.

In Bloom chairman Maggie Payne and husband Eric led the judges to town gardens before setting off to Roman Way, the fire station and the wine press, where they met members of the Bretvins.

A tour of the industrial estate followed before a peep over the cemetery wall. At St Nicholas School, St Faith's Road, teacher Barbara Swinn and school musicians played a welcome. At Our Lady's school, children waved flags and judges saw the wildlife garden and pupils' flower exhibits.

A trip to St Benedict's RC High School before lunch at the town hall brought the bid to a close. It will be months before the results are known but Alcester's community spirit proved to be a winner once more.