Local nominations for ‘Boats in Bloom’, the Canal and River Trust’s search for the brightest, most imaginative, flower-filled narrow boat are now closed – but you can cast your vote for the most impressive gardening achievements next week.

This summer, the Canal and River Trust has been celebrating the people whose green fingers and gardening achievements help make our waterways such a pleasant place to visit by presenting certificates to those show gardening efforts.

The national ‘Boats in Bloom’ award, in its first year, gives prizes to the most edible boat, those with a vegetable garden, the most flower-filled boat and the most inventive use of space.

The nominations will now be whittled down to a shortlist which will be put up for public vote to determine the nation’s most spectacular blooming boats. The public vote will open on the Canal and River Trust's website on Monday, August 7 and will close on August 29.

Peter Matthews, chairman of the Canal & River Trust’s West Midlands Waterway Partnership, said: “Take a walk along any of the Midlands' towpaths and you’ll come across a boat or a garden filled with beautiful blooms.

“We want Boats in Bloom to raise a smile, give people ideas and maybe inspire them to try a spot of gardening or boating themselves.”

The award winners will be announced on August 31.