BUSINESSES are being urged to back Bournemouth’s entry into a prestigious European floral competition.

The resort is one of only two locations to be judged for this year’s Entente Florale competition, the other being Edinburgh.

Eleven judges from 11 European countries will tour the borough on Friday, August 8, scoring the town on its floral displays, areas of natural beauty and also other aspects including environment, development and regeneration; tourism and leisure; and community and business involvement.

Bournemouth council’s parks team is offering businesses the chance to sponsor floral pedestals throughout the town centre and Westbourne.

Sponsorship would cost £300 including VAT and the displays will be up for 18 weeks, from June until mid-October.

A sponsorship plaque will be attached to each display, bearing a company logo and Entente Florale logo.

Council leader Cllr John Beesley said: “It’s a real honour to be invited to take part in this prestigious award and it is recognition that Bournemouth has so much to offer as both a place to live and as a world-class resort.”

Rob Allardyce, the council’s business support manager for parks, said: “We are busy making preparations in time for the judges’ arrival in the summer and are looking forward to showcasing what Bournemouth has to offer.

“We will be taking the judges to a number of locations across the borough including; Bournemouth Seafront, Slades Farm, Horseshoe Common, JP Morgan Chaseside, Charminster, Hengistbury Head and Boscombe and Lower Gardens to highlight just some of the town’s key locations, not only from an environment perspective but also to witness how we are developing Bournemouth for the future.”

There are three pedestals in Westbourne, four in Post Office Road, 20 in the Old Christchurch Road precinct up to Horseshoe Common, two in Richmond Hill, 18 in Commercial Road, four opposite the Moon in the Square, six in the Lower Gardens, one near the Oceanarium and 15 in Westover Road. There is scope for more in Commercial Road.

Potential sponsors should call Chris Evans on 07771 647238 or 01202 427851 by April 18.