READING has been shortlisted to win a national competition to find Britain's greenest and most beautiful spaces.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) named 76 communities for the annual Britain in Bloom contest, with the winners set to be revealed in October.

Organisers selected Reading for the prestigious UK City category, pitting the town against the likes of Belfast, Norwich and Aberdeen.

The Reading in Bloom committee is appealing for residents to get behind the entry by sharing stories of successful projects which have helped to brighten up the community.

Mayor Rose Williams said: “This fantastic news for Reading . The nomination in the national city category is a great achievement in itself and something we should be very proud of.

"I hope as many members of the community can come together to support this entry and help make Reading a Britain in Bloom 2018 winner.”

The RHS Britain in Bloom judges will visit the finalists in August, before awarding prizes for the top three locations at a ceremony in Belfast later this year.

Visit: www.readinginbloom.co.uk for more information and details on how to share your story with the committee.