THE standard of Cheltenham's floral displays is not good enough, according to the woman at the helm of the town's "in bloom" society.

For only the second time in 20 years the town has not been entered into the Heart of England in Bloom competition.

The event is a search for the prettiest towns across the region, which takes into account gardens, flower beds, tubs and hanging baskets.

Chris Ryder, chairwoman of the Cheltenham in Bloom committee, says the overall standard of the town's floral displays and gardens has deteriorated to the point at which it was not worth entering.

She said: "The decision not to enter was based on a number of reasons, but among them was the thought we wouldn't have won anything the way things are.

"With the resources available it is not possible to maintain the high standards people have come to expect over the years.

"The gardeners working for the council do a fantastic job, but there are far fewer of them than there were 30 years ago – and it shows."

The news comes days after a flower bed created by Cheltenham Borough Council came last in a national competition run by the Royal Horticultural Society.

The entry, entitled Cotswold Vistas, failed to win a single accolade at the Colegrave National Flower Bed Competition at Tatton Park, in Cheshire.

It was the only floral display out of 17 entries from around the UK not to pick up an award.

Mrs Ryder has identified areas across the town in need of an uplift, including undecorated roundabouts, weeds growing on pavements in Montpellier, and a below-par standard of flowers in the Long Gardens outside the Municipal Offices.

She has warned the knock-on effect for the town could be catastrophic.

She added: "I realise that savings have to be made somewhere and it might seem natural that flowers might not be seen by everyone as essential.

"But in two or three years when people stop visiting our parks and gardens, people should not be surprised.

"So many people have come up to me to complain about the decline in standards. If we want the town's parks and gardens to be known as the attraction they once were, action needs to be taken."

Cheltenham has previously picked up national awards for its flower beds, including Britain in Bloom honours in 1985, 1988 and 2003.

But town centre manager Martin Quantock disagreed with Mrs Ryder's verdict, saying he had not noticed a lowering of standards.

"Of course it makes a difference if the town's gardens and flowers look nice," he said. "But not many people come to the town specifically for that reason."

There are 12 gardening staff on the council's books, who work to keep the town's gardens looking spick and span.

Rob Bell, assistant director for operations at the council, said the decision not to enter this year's competition was "regrettable".

"There has been a reduction in the number of back office staff, which has affected the level of administrative support to the committee, but we have not reduced the number of front line staff," he said.

"It is regrettable that the town won't be entered into this year's competition, but if the committee decides to enter next year we would be pleased to offer our support."