LITTER cost Hereford its coveted gold status in last year's Britain in Bloom competition.

But Hereford in Bloom vowed to overcome the litter menace which plagues every town and city.

With the help of volunteers from several new anti-litter groups the chances of the judges, who toured the city this month, awarding gold is high.

Leading the litter campaign was the Community Clean Up group founded by Emma Jones and Andrew Wood together with the Wildlife Trust work, led by Richard Fishbourne clearing the Yazor Brook of rubbish, and the Stop the Drop campaign run by Jane Denny of Herefordshire Council .

The support of the Hereford BID team and Balfour Beatty, the council contractors was also invaluable. One judge said he had seen no litter after a three hour inspection of the city.

George Thomas, spokesman for Hereford in Bloom whose flower displays across the city centre have been classed as stunning, said: “Being down-graded last year was a wake- up call and the response of the whole community has been overwhelming. There is a new sense of civic pride.”

He added: “Volunteer litter-pickers in their yellow hi-viz vests are now a common sight on the city streets. Emma and Andrew, in particular deserve the highest praise for their leadership of Community Clean Up”

Steve Kerry, clerk to the city council said: “The vibrant colours of the flowers planted by Hereford in Bloom volunteers in beds, planters and hanging baskets across the city are an important part of our street scene and have been hugely effective in raising standards for our visitors.”

The judge’s decision will be announced at the Heart of England in Bloom regional awards event in September.