UPTON put on its best flowering face in a bid to delight the judges on a sweltering hot day.

"Every year it's so hot when we do this, it's great," said Upton town councillor Janet Freke.

Two judges from South East In Bloom and one from Britain in Bloom were shown Upton in all its blossoming glory.

They toured the town, including the cemetery, and met residents, allotment holders and the town's gardener and groundsman Brian Cooper.

"He's the little jewel in our crown," she said.

"We got a bronze last year and we would like to do better this year, fingers crossed," she added.

They will have to keep them crossed until September 7 when the best bloomers will be announced.

However, Upton Infants and Junior schools both took part in a schools competition, growing flower and vegetables including potatoes and radishes, and they should find out how they fared much sooner.