THE judges from ‘Britain in Bloom’ came to a revived town centre yesterday and said it was ‘in the mix for a medal’.

They were given a tour of the regenerated retail heart of Blackburn to see how it had been given a green and floral makeover to go with major redevelopment.

Starting at the new £34million Cathedral Quarter the two judges Richard Budge and Jon Wheatley headed for Church Street, Fleming Square, King William Street, Blackburn College Campus and the Blakey Moor Townscape Heritage area.

The area covered by Blackburn’s Business Improvement District is one of five up for four medals - bronze, silver, silver gilt and gold.

Mr Budge revealed it is against stiff competition as one of five finalists in the ‘BID in Bloom’ award with Mansfield, London Bridge in the capital and the medieval Cathedral city of Norwich already visited and the Lake District’s Penrith to come tomorrow.

The Royal Horticultural Society expert said: “I personally am very impressed with what I have seen.

“Blackburn is definitely in the mix for a medal.”

The town’s BID manager Harriet Roberts said: “There have been a lot of ‘Wows’ from the judges as we’ve been round and they have been impressed with the passion of the people they have met. We are hopeful.”

Cathedral Canon Andrew Hundley said: “I have been here 22 years and Blackburn is town transformed.

“Indeed the judges have seen a town in most definitely bloom.”

The borough council’s town centre head gardener Ian Leach was delighted with the judges response saying: “I and my team have put a lot of effort into the the flowers and plantings here.

“This is our reward along with the reaction of visitors and residents to the new-look town centre.”

The last time national judges visited Blackburn in November last year, it came away with ‘Town Centre of the Year’ and Winner of Winners’ in the ‘‘Great British High Street Awards 2016’.

The results will announced at the ‘Britain in Bloom’ awards ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales on October 27.

Blackburn will judged on three criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.