Tamworth will have to wait until September to find out whether it has been awarded gold in the Heart of England In Bloom campaign for the third year running.

Two judges from Heart of England In Bloom toured the borough in the rain on Tuesay - taking in some of the many fabulous floral displays and community projects which made up this year’s Tamworth In Bloom entry, on the theme Red, White & Bloom in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The day started with a presentation at the TIC, before the judges boarded a fire engine to take them along Lichfield Street. After circling the roundabout twice to view the three Royal-themed raised flower beds, the judging party was taken to Wigginton Park, where they heard about its bid for Green Flag status, as well as meeting street wardens and anti-dog fouling campaign mascot Saxon Hound.

The tour then took in Tamworth Railway Station – complete with the famous Tamworth Two - Glascote Cemetery, Tamworth Community Fire Station – where a number of community groups had displays showcasing their projects – then on to Bright Crescent sheltered scheme, which last year won a national Neighbourhood Award, through Ventura Park and back into the Castle Grounds, taking in the roundabout on Peeler’s Way, adorned with a flower-filled boat from the Tamworth Sea Cadets.

The judges were dropped off at the Riverdrive gates and walked through the Castle Grounds, taking in the wisteria garden, the Jubilee rose garden, the award-winning Bandstand flower beds and the new larger-than-life Olympic Torch man made out of plants. The tour then took in the bustling market, St Editha’s Square, the churchyard and Little Church Lane, before ending up at the Almshouses.

Tamworth was awarded gold in the Small City category of the campaign in 2010 and 2011, as well as picking up a special award for horticultural excellence for the spectacular Bandstand flower beds in the Castle Grounds. Now the judging is over, Tamworth will have to wait until September to find out its result.