COLCHESTER’S mayor issued a rallying cry at the town’s In Bloom ceremony after a “disappointing” number of entrants in this year’s contest.

Just ten people took part in the competition, with the large retailer category getting just one applicant – Williams & Griffin.

Mayor Henry Spyvee said he was disappointed about the lack of entries, adding the council is working on ideas to boost the number for next year.

He said: “Our aim in the future is to make our town a place we can be proud of.

“Hopefully there will be more stiff competition next year.

“There are some lovely displays around town, that we noticed when we were judging the entries, which were not put forward, so we want to encourage people to do so next year.”

Lynne Woods, the borough council’s project support officer for strategic policy and regeneration, said: “We have a lot of ideas we are going to put forward.”

Wendy Bailey, of Destination Colchester, said it had been asked to try to raise the profile of the competition.

She said: “It needs to be a lot more fun. I notice there were no flowers here tonight, there should be, and we need to get the message out there.”

Mrs Bailey said they would also like to find out where the original rose bowls, handed out to winners in the past, had gone, with the idea of reinstating them.

She added: “It was bit sad to only get ten entrants. I think everyone recognises that and wants to do something about it. We need to look at it with fresh, 21st-century eyes.”