The deadline for Richmond in Bloom’s diamond jubilee merit awards is fast approaching and avid gardeners are urged to submit entries before the cut off date of Monday, June 18.

A royal themed take on the annual contest, the awards have nine categories including residential front gardens, frontages and parking areas, blocks of flats and community buildings, hotels and pubs, business premises and the Serco award for best environmental garden.

Winners will receive commemorative certificates in line with RHS standards and the best Gold in each category gets a Richmond Borough in Bloom plaque.

Judges have said they will take into account the recent bad weather when doing the judging and tailor their marking accordingly when they conduct their judging on the week starting Saturday, June 23.

For details email richmondinbloom@btconnect.com, call 020 8892 4949 or visit richmondboroughinbloom.co.uk.