The chairman of Tenby in Bloom has called for the resort to withdraw its entry from this year's Wales in Bloom competition, claiming certain areas of the town are 'disgraceful'. At Tuesday night's meeting of Tenby Town Council, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, spoke of her disgust at the environmental state of parts of the town after embarking on a walkabout, taking the same route that a judge for the Wales in Bloom contest would take in assessing the criteria for the competition. "I'm absolutely ashamed at the deteriorating conditions in some areas of the town; it is clear that certain areas have been completely neglected, with no weeding or planting being carried out, no painting being done and in some cases spaces where there should be benches," said Clr. Mrs. Lane. "I'm not having a go at our own garden staff as such, as they are only contracted by county council to tend to certain areas, but seeing as the professional judges of the Wales in Bloom contest take into account all environmental aspects around the town and not just the floral side, our town is clearly not up to scratch to enter this year and has been on a downward slide for a number of years, which we must start taking responsibility for," she continued. Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown also believes that Tenby council themselves are not entirely to blame for the town's neglected areas, believing that Pembrokeshire County Council, who currently share the gardening contract to look after the town, are not contributing nearly enough towards funds for gardens staff. "I understand Clr. Lane's frustration, but we cannot blame ourselves entirely as the whole situation has become impossible with county council not giving our gardens staff enough funds to cover all areas of the town," she said. "With county council planning to take over the full gardens contract in October, God knows what is going to happen then. If it's going to result in a case of them not giving the town the attention it needs, then we'll have to either go down the route of voluntary work or fight to keep the gardens ourselves," continued Clr. Mrs. Brown. With judging for the Wales in Bloom contest set to begin on Monday, July 4, this will be the first time that Tenby has not submitted an entry, having in the past taken first prize in their category on 13 successive occasions. "It's a very sad situation that we feel that we are unable to enter this year, but now we need to look forward and find a way out of this mess before our town disintegrates even more," commented Clr. Mrs. Caroline Thomas. Now town councillors are planning to invite county councillors Brian Hall and Peter Stock on a town walkabout, to show them how neglected certain areas have become and how further assistance is required to maintain the gardens and streets. Councillors agreed to withdraw the town's entry from this year's Wales in Bloom contest, but were keen to emphasise that the decision should not detract from the Tenby in Bloom competition, with judging commencing on Wednesday, July 6. "I must commend the town's businesses, pubs and also residents for the wonderful effort they put into their floral displays for the Tenby in Bloom contest; let's continue to get behind it leading up to the judging," remarked Clr. Mrs. Lane.