Schoolchildren can enter Richmond in Bloom’s annual floral art competition, which opened this week.

All pupils of schools in the borough can take part in the poster competition, which is judged in age categories including a new group this year for sixth form pupils.

The winner of each category will win a Quickcrop raised bed for their school garden and the top three in each category win a pack of art materials and certificate for themselves.

Bloom chairman Pat Schooling said: “The theme encourages appreciation of flowers and the outdoor environment.

“This time we are looking for paintings of flowers that bloom in the summer - and the overall winning entry will be used on our poster to publicise our summer gardening competitions to be launched in May.”

Awards will be presented April 30 in York House and winning entries will be on display at various community events through the summer.

The closing date for entries is Wednesday, April 2. For information, visit richmondboroughinbloom.co.uk.