The 2008 competition will this year be sponsored by local housing association, Three Valleys Housing, with up to £1,000 of gardening vouchers on offer for winners.

Last year saw record numbers of keen gardeners, from a variety of backgrounds and ages, compete to be crowned winner.

It gets individuals, communities, schools and businesses involved in gardening and horticulture, and encourages residents to take a pride in their local environment by producing and tending to beautiful gardens and floral features.

Kevin Lowry, chief executive of competition sponsors Three Valleys Housing, said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the Erewash in Bloom Gardening Competition 2008. We think it is really important that this event involves the whole community.

"Those who put time and effort into their gardens and homes, help to create a nicer place for us all to live and work. This competition gives us the chance to celebrate our green-fingered citizens who continually show their Pride in Erewash."

This year's competition will be launched on Bath Street, Ilkeston from 10am until 2pm on May 29.

Erewash residents will be able to pick up an application form and there will be 1,000 packets of sunflower seeds and balloons given away to children to encourage them to enter the tallest sunflower category (for under-16's).

Cllr Robert Parkinson, Lead Member for the Environment, added: "Erewash in Bloom has always been a fantastic way to reward those keen gardeners who contribute a great deal towards making our borough look beautiful."

For more information contact the council's Green Space team on 0845 907 2244 or email parks@erewash.gov.uk.