A FINAL rallying call is being issued to Oxford gardeners to save the city’s annual gardening competition.

After 25 years Oxford in Bloom, which sees gardeners compete in categories ranging from best container to best balcony and best large garden, is under threat due to lack of entries.

The committee which runs the contest, which is backed by the Oxford Mail, will meet on February 7 to decide whether to continue.

In November, organisers warned that unless there was a marked increase in the number of people coming forward to get involved, the contest would close.

Since then, just a handful of people have expressed interest.

City council parks development officer Michelle Legg, pictured left with some of the trophies, said: “A handful of people have come out of the woodwork.

“A few of them were outside of the city area, so we have had to say thank you but unfortunately you can’t enter. We have not been inundated with people.”

Last year, only 69 people entered, compared to about 80 the year before, and the number has steadily dropped over the last few years.

Anyone who is interested in taking part should contact the council parks department on 01865 252240 or visit the Oxford in Bloom page at oxford.gov.uk