Littlehampton town councillors are meeting this week to discuss whether the town is green-fingered enough to enter a gardening competition.

Members of the council's community resources committee, who meet tomorrow, will consider whether the town should enter the South-East in Bloom competition.

The town would enter under the Coastal Resort B category for seaside towns with more than 20,000 residents.

Councillors will be told there are financial implications of entering, such as paying the council's amenity team to work longer hours and buying more plants and trees.

But a report to councillors says the results of the involvement can lead to an increase in civic pride, long-term improvement to the community, a high level of cleanliness through planting floral displays, increased tourism and the regeneration of rundown areas.

The competition, part of Britain in Bloom, is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and aims to improve and regenerate local environments.

If the council does decide to take part, it will have until February 21 to submit its entry.

It will have to fulfil four areas: Horticultural excellence, community involvement, environmental excellence and sustainability.