Judges were “emotional” after seeing the floral results of dedicated co-operation in Epping.

Today (July 8), chairman Victoria Robertson said the Epping in Bloom gardening project is bringing a “real community spirit” back to the town, as she took judges from Anglia in Bloom to four floral displays and growing sites which have been tended since the group formed in March last year.

After starting at the fire station in the High Road the judges were taken to Tower Road, where schoolchildren-designed flower beds have been planted.

Ms Roberston said: “The reason I joined and took the role as chairman is I wanted to inspire the youths to get into growing, get away from their computers and get outside.

“I am really proud of them all.”

She said the group, started with £2,000 from Epping Town Council, has had support and donations from the public.

“The feedback has been amazing.

“A real community spirit is coming back to Epping because of our flowers and what we do.”

But, she added: “If we do win anything, it’s for the whole of the town, not just Epping in Bloom.”

Six schools from the district invited pupils to design flower displays in Tower Road.

Judges also visited Epping Underground station, where flowers, vegetables and herbs are growing, and flower beds at the Epping Forest District Council civic offices.

Town mayor Les Burrows said: “It all looks much better.

“Our ultimate aim is to get the whole place in bloom.

“The community spirit has improved, people smile when they see it and they come and talk to you.”

Anglia in Bloom judge Nolan Mills said: “We’ve been absolutely blown over, we don’t normally get emotional when we see something but when you see a project like this all coming together, it makes you think – we’re doing something amazing and very useful.

“It is excellent.

“Epping has only just started this year, it is the first and they’ve been good so hopefully this is the start of very, very good things to come.”

The result of the judges’ visit is expected in six weeks.