Washington Village in Bloom

The village won the honour of representing the region in this year's prestigious national contest after fending off stiff competition last summer.

Now it's going head to head with five others across the UK in the Best Village category of Britain in Bloom after picking up the Best Village award and being named overall winner in last year's Northumbria in Bloom competition.

With just a week until the judges visit on Friday 5 August, it's all go for the 18 volunteers who work tirelessly all year round to keep the village's stunning flower beds looking colourful and pristine.

And it's very much a team effort, with the volunteers backed up by the City Council, local schools and scouts, businesses and volunteers from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and the Princes Trust.

Joan Atkinson, Chair of Washington in Bloom, said: "Our win last year was a tremendous boost for all the bloom volunteers, but what really matters is the contribution that so many in our local community make, year after year, to keeping Washington village such a truly lovely place to live in - or to visit. All are welcome."

The volunteers' mammoth year-round effort includes planting up all the village containers and barrier boxes each spring for the summer bedding show and weeding and edging the flower beds.

Come autumn, their attention turns to planting thousands of spring bulbs in the village containers along with winter pansies, as well as collecting up to 500 bags of leaves.

Councillor Linda Williams, Cabinet Member for Vibrant City at Sunderland City Council, said: "It's really exciting to have Washington Village representing our region in the national Britain in Bloom awards.

"The volunteers put in a tremendous amount of work all year round to keep the village looking its very best and it's looking absolutely gorgeous this summer.

"We know that the environment is a top priority for our residents and it's wonderful to have such amazing volunteers taking a pride in the area where they live.

"It's a great example of partnership working in action with volunteers working with council staff, local businesses, the fire service, Princes Trust and Barclays Bank volunteers, local schools and scouts and residents to help the city look its best. They've done an incredible job  and I wish them all the very best for the judging next weekend."

Washington Village will find out if it has been successful when the winners of each category of the Britain in Bloom awards are announced at an awards ceremony at the RHS headquarters in London in October.