City centre bosses hope a blaze of colour will dazzle the judges of South and South East in Bloom when they visit Canterbury next month.

Traders and residents are being urged to make a special effort as the city is entered into the prestigious competition for the first time in 15 years.

The Canterbury City Partership (CCP) hopes to draw from the community spirit shown during the Jubilee celebrations.

Chief executive Bob Jones said: "We will be competing in the small city category, up against places like Brighton and Chichester.

"I am hoping that some of the community spirit we have seen during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will continue and really give the judges something to admire.

"Already we are seeing more hanging baskets than ever in the city centre, which are making the place look very colourful.

"But we need as many business on board as possible to really catch the judges’ eyes."

The Whitefriars shopping centre has already taken the lead, but Mr Jones says the CCP will match fund up to £500 in other areas of the city wanting to create similar eye-catching floral displays.

He said: "Traders in the King's Mile have already snapped up the offer and the street is looking fabulous."

In Bloom judges will be taken on a tour of the city on July 10, three days after the Big Clean takes place.

Mr Jones said: "It should make the place look sparkling.

"We don't want to be passing any grot spots so are appealing to everyone to give the frontages of their businesses a wash and brush up."

Canterbury Tourist Guides are offering 100 free places on a tour of the city's gardens and green spaces on Saturday.

Available on a first come, first served basis, they will start at the Gazebo in Whitefriars Square at 10am and continue each hour until 2pm.

Each tour will accommodate up to 20 people and lasts for about 90 minutes.

They will take in the many lesser known gems of the city and follow the route the South and South East in Bloom judges will take when they visit Canterbury in July.