CAN Weymouth experience the sweet smell of success once again?

Tourism officers and council leaders are certainly hoping so.

They spent the day guiding Britain in Bloom judges around the resort for the 2022 contest.

This year's judging session comes after Weymouth scooped a Britain in Bloom gold award last year after the town was entered for the prestigious competition for the first time.

On Tuesday judges were shown the town's improved train station, floral boat installations, hanging baskets, the Quay regeneration, Heritage Slabs and the sculpture trail.

Volunteers met judges at the Peace Gardens and the group, including Weymouth Mayor Cllr Ann Weaving, walked via the Nothe Tavern and the garden steps through the South Harbour via the old town pump and Old Rooms showing the heritage slab installed there plus the baskets and flags in Cove Passage. The team continued over the iconic Town Bridge and took in the regeneration of the South Quay.

Next they looked at the newly planted pots along the harbourside and the recently installed planted boat.

They then enjoyed a trip via the land train to appraise the businesses along the Esplanade and despite the thunderstorm, enjoyed the beach and Brunswick Terrace, plus planted beds along the promenade, ending the tour at Weymouth’s famous Greenhill Gardens.

The town's entry to the competition is spearheaded by the Weymouth Business Improvement District, trading as We Are Weymouth, working in partnership with Weymouth Town Council.

Dawn Rondeau, We Are Weymouth’s Chief Operations Officer said: “This is the second time that we have entered Weymouth into the Britain in Bloom competition and we have been incredibly proud to show the improvements and progression made throughout the town - in just 12 months!

"This has been a real team effort with We Are Weymouth working closely with Weymouth Town Council, under the leadership of Tara Williams, to really push forward with our commitment to improvement as well as sustainability.

"As well as the hanging baskets provided to businesses throughout the town, we’ve added boat planters, more heritage slabs to celebrate the town’s history and highlighted the work of the volunteers and the parks and gardens teams who have been committed to maintaining the flowerbeds, palm beds and grasslands throughout the town. Thanks also to Dorset Council who supported Britain in Bloom with additional repainting, bin removal and deep-cleaning.

"At We Are Weymouth we are committed to our role in ‘improving’ the town, whether this is working to remove graffiti in the town, providing hanging baskets or pioneering the Heritage and Mural Arts Trails.

"We hope that locals and visitors can see all the work that’s gone into the town and feel as proud as we do.”