MALDON in Bloom is set for a colourful return in April with a whole host of activities on offer for all ages.

Maldon in Bloom is a town-wide initiative to make Maldon and its streets and highways look more attractive year on year.

Over the course of April various events will be going on to support Maldon in Bloom, including the National Gardening Week Children’s day being held on Thursday April 13.

Taking place at either St Peter’s Churchyard or Maldon Town Hall, there will be something for all ages to enjoy, including decorate a pot, planting and other activities.

The aim of this event is to ‘encourage new gardeners to grow plants’, with the committee also be making use of Maldon library’s display cabinets to show the theme for this year – Bats, Bees and Butterflies.

The following week on Tuesday April 18, people will be able to come along and meet the Maldon in Bloom team at the Annual Maldon Town Meeting.

Doors at the Town Hall open at 6.45 to give time to view all the local group’s exhibits with the meeting starting at 7.30pm.

Following last year’s successful art competition, there is the opportunity for schools and playgroups to enter the 2017 ‘Art in the Landscape’ competition.

Open to children aged 18 and under, the competition is free to enter to grow the greatest sunflower in the town.

The Maldon in Bloom competition entry form is now available. The team want to encourage more residents and businesses to take part in this once a year competition, which this year includes an art category to design a new Maldon in Bloom logo which will be part of future advertising.

In April the team will be sending Maldon’s 2017 entry form to the Anglia in Bloom team. The campaign seeks to encourage communities to take a pride in their areas and can take many forms. Email environment@maldontowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01621 857373.