Green-fingered volunteers in Frinton are “quietly confident” the town will retain its gold status in the prestigious Anglia in Bloom competition.

Judges Brian Gardner and Margaret Spencer were taken on a five-mile tour of some of the best gardens in Frinton yesterday as they inspected the floral show.

They also witnessed some of the community involvement with pupils from Tendring Technology College on hand, as well as visiting a joint project with St Mary’s Church.

David Foster, chairman of Frinton in Bloom, said: “The day was very successful.

“The judges were very interested in the tour and I think thought it was wonderful.

“I am quietly confident we should retain the gold we have got the last five years – all the people involved have done a splendid job.

“It is not about winning though, it is about keeping up that standard. It is a daunting task and you have got to improve, you can’t just do exactly what you did last year – if you have made no progress you may go backwards.

“There’s not much more we can do now except wait for the results.”

Some of the features showcased included the Railway Cottages, The Triangle shopping centre and the town’s leafy Avenues.