MEMBERS and supporters of the Royston-in-Bloom launched their involvement in the Anglia-in-Bloom competition by planting a cherry tree. Anglia in Bloom invited towns and villages to take part in a co-ordinated tree planting afternoon, with a number of yo

MEMBERS and supporters of the Royston-in-Bloom launched their involvement in the Anglia-in-Bloom competition by planting a cherry tree.

Anglia in Bloom invited towns and villages to take part in a co-ordinated tree planting afternoon, with a number of young trees being planted throughout East Anglia.

Royston in Bloom participated by planting a cherry tree at the Coombes Community Centre in Burns Road.

The flowering sapling had been donated by Mill End Nursery, near Buntingford.

Members of Royston in Bloom were joined by councillors, as well as Royston's mayor Lynn Berry, representatives from the community centre's management committee and pupils from the Roysia School Gardening Club.

Angela Louch, chairman of Royston in Bloom organising committee, said: "We are doing a lot to raise the profile of Royston-in-Bloom and we have a lot more things to come.

"We are looking to revamp the area and add more landscaping and greenery.

"The planting was a great day and well attended. It was a fitting way to start the first day of spring," she said.

n Members of North Herts District Council's Royston area committee have approved a grant of more than £900 to replant areas around the community centre.

The plan is to remove existing hedges and vegetation and plant pink hawthorn shrubs and additional trees.

The council's community officer, Alan Fleck, described the work in a report to councillors as "an excellent project".

- The Royston-in-Bloom committee is planning a litter pick around Tannery Drift School tomorrow (Friday).

- Judging for this year's Royston-in-Bloom competition will be on June 25 and June 26.

The closing date for entries will be June 21.