THE streets of Barnoldswick were hoovered by volunteers who are hoping to 'blow away' the competition in this year's Britain in Bloom.

Town council chairman Claire Teall and vice-chairman David Whipp, right, took to the streets with their vacuums ahead of a visit by judges today.

Mr Whipp said: “We’re not usually so obsessed about cleaning the last speck of dust from the ground but we want it to be impeccable and this gives us a great excuse to give the town a good clean.

The judges will arrive at 9.30am and take a two hour tour of the town.

The stakes are high for Barnoldswick, as the town has won at least a gold medals each time it entered Britain in Bloom .