Oldham’s blossoming reputation set to grow

REMINDER: how Oldham’s winning entry looked to the judges

OLDHAM is in the running to win its third Britain in Bloom crown.

The borough is one of seven places selected to represent the North-West in this year’s Royal Horticultural Society competition. Oldham is among 65 finalists in several categories from across the UK, thanks to its winning entry in last year’s North-West in Bloom competition.

Displays throughout the borough included the eye-catching and popular town-centre flower bed complete with a taxi and red phone box — which only last week was given a makeover for Valentine’s Day. The national judges will visit in August ahead of the awards ceremony in October, with Oldham competing in the Best City category (based on the town’s population) which it has previously won in 2012 and 2014.

It has also been named Best City for the last six years in the separate North-West in Bloom competition.