VILLAGERS are preparing for next year’s Britain in Bloom without breaking social distancing and lockdown regulations.

Thornton-le-Dale had been hoping to build on its 2019 flower success in 2020..

But when this year’s Britain in Bloom was cancelled, villagers started a Bee Friendly initiative knitting bees and planting seeds.

“It is obviously disappointing, but being positive, all the preparation will not be wasted and in fact what was going to be a great display this year will be fantastic by next year,” said Roger Sharples, a coordinator of the Britain in Bloom entry.

“That said, you only had to look at the village with its amazing display of daffodils to know that we are reaping the rewards of the Hub’s hard work last year.

“The cheerful feel this brings to our village at a time when we all need some uplift will, I am sure, be a greater consolation prize that no competition could surpass.”

The village’s hub has 160 volunteers and was set up by residents wanting to boost community spirit and the village’s facilities.

When it won Gold in the 2019 Yorkshire in Bloom judges said it was so successful there was a buzz about the village with residents of all ages enjoying their work.