ROOKIE Sidmouth in Bloom members hope they can count on the support of townsfolk as they bid to lead the town to regional and national glory in 2012.

A brand new committee has begun planning how to wow Britain in Bloom and South West in Bloom judges later this year.

Sidmouth will compete in the Large Coastal Town section in both competitions.

Regional success in 2011 has given the town the chance to compete in the national finals.

“Britain in Bloom is not just about flowers,” said Sidmouth in Bloom chairman Lynette Talbot. “It’s about sustainability, biodiversity, recycling, and communities working together to enhance their public spaces and for their own wellbeing.

“It’s about living in harmony with the environment and maintaining our beautiful countryside and town for the benefit of ourselves and future generations. Everyone is involved.”

“We already have a lot of people in Sidmouth who follow the real ethos of what Britain in Bloom is all about.

“The real issue is that most people don’t realise that a lot of work, particularly the blooms themselves, are bought via donations and fund raising by the bloom committee.

“We’re going to try to succeed in 2012 to continue to make Sidmouth a beautiful place to visit and live in, but we’ll need help in order to succeed in the national finals.”