AN award of more than �8,000 to the Royston in Bloom committee has meant a new project will go-ahead.

The Big Lottery Fund awards will pay for enhancement work on the Royston Town Council-owned Stile Plantation and Green Walk Plantation.

“This is a significant award and will meet the costs for work to improve the plantations,” said Royston in Bloom chairman Les Baker.

“It is a project we have been looking at for some time, but until we received the award we were unable to give the go-ahead.”

The committee is planning to work with North Hertfordshire District Council and Hertfordshire Countryside Management Service to complete the renovations.

The work will include the installation of display panels, benches and bird boxes.

Scrub will also be cleared and sapling trees will be planted to replace those lost by recent storm damage.

Mr Baker said: ““We have been aware for some time that the plantations are in need of tidying up.”

“This enhancement work will see them become more attractive for people walking in this gem of wooded landscape in Royston.”

“A lot of residents are unaware of the plantations as a place to walk, but this project will make the area more accessible and reveal a hidden secret.”

The Royston in Bloom competition is fast approaching and pits the town’s green fingered residents against each other in a variety of categories ranging from best front garden to best kept street or community area.

Prizes and plaques will be awarded to overall winners in each category and certificates for gold, silver or bronze in all seeds.

Entry forms are available from Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, and the closing date for entries is Friday 8 July.

Judging will begin taking place three days later.

Details of the Royston in Bloom competition are on the town council website at www.roystontowncouncil.gov.uk