BRUTAL council budget cuts mean Stourbridge faces a "massive challenge" this year to retain its gold award-winning status in the Heart of England in Bloom awards.

The town has been taking part in the campaign for more than a decade and has eight consecutive gold awards under its belt.

But Dudley Council cuts, which will affect the upkeep of public spaces and parks across the borough, mean Stourbridge's chances of gaining a further top gong in the prestigious campaign are under threat.

Stourbridge in Bloom co-ordinator David Harcourt said: "It's going to be a massive challenge. It’s a bigger challenge than I thought it would be with all the funding being withdrawn this year."

But trying to remain upbeat about the predicament, he said: "We’ll certainly go into it again.

"We may not do so well but what we would have to do to build a credible entry is change our strategy and look at how we move forward - perhaps using shrubbery plants, instead of bedding plants, and reduce our watering costs. It's the watering that's the heaviest cost - it's thousands of pounds.

"It’s going to be a different kind of entry but we'll just carry on rather than take a year off."

He said the council has traditionally footed the bill for watering the large planters and lamp-post hanging baskets in the town centre - and the bedding plants that go in them - but the authority's financial position means the cash is no longer available.

Maintenance of the parks is also being hit, with the authority expected to stop funding box cutting which would mean clippings being left on the lawns. Borders may also be grassed over to save cash.

Councillor Hilary Bills, Dudley's cabinet member for environmental services, said: “In these unprecedented times and as part of overall cost savings for the authority, we have identified savings of £25,000 from 'in Bloom' across the borough.

"It means we need to look for new ways of delivering the 'in Bloom' events and we will be looking to seek greater input from voluntary groups and the wider community. We will work with them in an advisory capacity to look at sourcing external funding.”

Mr Harcourt said: "I can’t moan about it because everything else is being cut back. It’s sad in lots of ways but it’s a challenge in another to find a different way of achieving the same thing. Sponsorship is going to be the order of the day."

Any businesses or big-hearted individuals wishing to sponsor any of the planters or make a donation towards this year's Bloom entry can email Mr Harcourt at harcourt51@aol.com or call the News on 01384 358225.