LONG-STANDING Sidmouth in Bloom members handed over the reins of responsibility for the resort’s floral features to a new committee this week.

This year will be the first time in four decades that the town will compete for regional and national glory without the leadership of Joy Seward.

Former bloom president Joy, and other hard-working colleagues, decided to step down after years of success.

New Sidmouth in Bloom chairman Lynette Talbot told outgoing committee members on Wednesday: “It’s going to be difficult to follow what you’ve done but we’re going to give it a go. It’s a huge responsibility.”

“It’s so important to Sidmouth,” said Joy, who was a bloom committee member for 40 years. She wished the new committee all the best.

Sidmouth has been selected from more than 1,000 entries to take part in the 2012 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals.

The town is one of only 73 finalists and has been placed into a coastal category alongside Bangor, Herne Bay and Great Yarmouth.

Long-serving ex-members of Sidmouth in Bloom, who resigned en-masse last year, officially stepped down at their annual general meeting on Wednesday and handed over duties to the new group.

Sidmouth will also enter the regional South West in Bloom competition in which it triumphed to be offered a place in the nationals.

Sue Biggs, RHS director general, said: “It is an absolute honour for the RHS to be associated with these groups and individuals, and I wish Sidmouth the very best of luck.”

She said the judging panel will tour the country in July, awarding points against three key criteria - horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.