ISLE of Wight businesses are being encouraged to get involved with the Island's own floral spectacular.

Organisers of Wight in Bloom said Islanders should be inspired by the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week, which has strong links to the Island.

A silver gilt award winning garden is now at Mountbatten Isle of Wight in Newport, and two young Gurnard florists — Jordan Knight and Kara Halford from J and K Floral Designs — will be competing in this year’s ‘Young Florist of the Year’ at the show.

Mike Fitt, OBE, is a former Director of Royal Parks in London. Now living in Ryde, Mike is an advisor to Wight in Bloom.

He said: "The idea of coming to a ‘garden island’ and seeing all those floral blooms is fantastic — we’re not just thinking of individuals with their gardens, but we want the commercial premises, we want the tourist attractions, we want the schools, we want the care-giving homes, we want everyone to get involved."

Southern Vectis have joined as the headline sponsor in 2019, joining the Isle of Wight County Press and Liz Earle as co-sponsors.

Entries to Wight In Bloom close on June 10.

Entry is free to everyone, with just a simple form to fill in.

Prizes for the winning gardens will be presented by Wight In Bloom patron — and gardening guru — Alan Titchmarsh on July 23.

Previous businesses that have been involved said that is about more than winning a prize but it is a reflection of the effort and time their teams have taken to make their property something special.

Park manager at Robin Hill Country Park, James Croft, said: "Everyone at Robin Hill is incredibly proud of how we maintain our park and its gardens. With such a vast area to curate – and a variety of formal and informal planting schemes combined with management of our precious ancient woodland it’s no easy task.

"Wight in Bloom provides an fabulous and welcome opportunity for us to showcase the quality of the work done by our team, and promote the Robin Hill’s wonderful natural environment to everyone, locals and tourist alike."

Marketing manager at Farringford Estate, Sophie Adkins, said: ""arringford really enjoyed the Wight in Bloom competition especially the anticipation of the judges visits as they turn up unannounced and we did not know who they were.

"It was very easy to enter the competition as there was a category that suited us very well which was 'Best Small Tourist Attraction Garden."