RESIDENTS have been urged to Spruce Up Sidmouth (SUS) and help the town score national floral glory.

Sidmouth in Bloom leaders have issued a call to arms and urged householders to grab hoes, brooms and buckets and target scruffy central spots that could do with a tidy-up.

They hope community spirit will mean Friday the 13th will be lucky for the town – as that is the date Britain in Bloom judges are set to visit the resort.

“It’s time the town needed a wash down,” said Sidmouth in Bloom chairman Lynette Talbot.

She added that volunteers are being sought to help clean up the town, especially places like Market Place, seafront shelters, Fore Street and High Street on Wednesday and Thursday, July 11 and 12.

“The first judging for Britain in Bloom is on Friday, July 13, so we need as many people as possible to help clean up Sidmouth that week,” added Lynette.

Lynette and fellow bloom committee member, Councillor Stuart Hughes launched the SUS campaign on Tuesday.

The duo this week also welcomed the completion of a one-off floral crown in Blackmore Gardens to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

The �1,300 display was funded by Cllr Hughes’ county locality budget.

Tickets for a secluded gardens event which began yesterday (Thursday), and will run until Monday (July 2) in aid of Sidmouth in Bloom are available at Sidmouth Information Centre or Paragon Books.

Tickets are also available at the gates of the houses. A list of gardens is displayed on the Market Place noticeboard.

Green-fingered residents are still invited to show their talents and enter the Sidmouth in Bloom gardening competition.

Entry is free and all residents need to do is complete an entry form and return it to 4 Homes, 12-14 High Street, Sidmouth, or post it to: Sidmouth In Bloom, 26 Coulsdon Road, Sidmouth, EX10 9JP.

Entrants need to indicate which section they are entering, your name, address and telephone number.

Hotels, guest houses and other accommodation will automatically be judged and judging will take place sometime between July 8 and 22.

Anyone interesting in helping spruce up Sidmouth can contact Lynette by calling her on 01395 578081