The popular annual Lowestoft in Bloom (LIB) competition has been launched, which will this year celebrate a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea.

The competition kicked off with an event at Whitton Court in Lowestoft on Friday, April 6, attended by the town's deputy mayor Peter Knight, who was welcomed by LIB vice chairman Peter Collicott.

The event also heard from Martin Jones, a LIB committee members who resides at Whitton Court, who welcomed two members of the RNLI and explained that the charity was theme for this year's competition.

Many LIB entrants were present at the launch, including representatives from Carlton Hall residential village, Broadlands Care Home and Phoenix St Peter Primary School.

Other guests included Annette Dewing from Lowestoft Allotments Association and Brian Thornton, president of Anglia in Bloom, who awarded Whitton Court with a certificate from Britain in Bloom for their good neighbourhood project.

Two members of staff from Wilko were thanked by the LIB committee for the gardening equipment they have donated to the community, and a special mention went to district and county councillor Jenny Ceresa who donated a cheque for £695 to LIB to purchase a PA system.

Once the formalities were out of the way the fun began with the entertainment from Even Kiel, a group of men whose combined ages were over 270 years, playing music from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Lowestoft in Bloom spokesman David Banks said: 'A special mention must also go to Whitton Court for staging the launch, and to Lesley, Steph and Pat for preparing the buffet. Flowers were presented to all three and to Lisa the manager of Whitton Court.'

A raffle was held raising £80 to be shared between LIB and the RNLI.

The Lowestoft in Bloom competition is now officially open, and anyone who wishes to enter can collect a form from Lowestoft Library, the Lowestoft Journal office or by emailing martinjones0616@hotmail.com or davidbanks1234@gmail.com

The LIB committee will be holding its annual general meeting on Monday, May 14, at the at the Waveney Norse base in Rotterdam Road starting at 7.15pm.