FEARS have been raised that Ledbury's unkempt and unsponsored roundabouts could scupper the town's chances in the forthcoming Heart of England in Bloom competition.

Only two of five roundabouts on the town's bypass are currently sponsored and cared for, and local resident Edd Hogan, of Harlequin Close, is asking what can be done, as a matter of urgency.

Mr Hogan said: "Leadon Way, the main road around the town, has a total of five roundabouts. Currently only the end ones are sponsored and cared for – the showpiece roundabout with its new sculpture and colourful displays at the Gloucester Road end, sponsored by The Helping Hand Company, and the neatly kept roundabout - sponsored by The Feathers Hotel, next to the viaduct.

"In contrast, the other three roundabouts have become bedraggled and appear very sad. Ledbury has a strong sense of civic pride and has proudly taken part in the ‘In Bloom’ competitions for many years. The unkempt and overgrown state of these three roundabouts may endanger Ledbury’s chances of success in the future.

"The situation is only getting worse as summer sees the trees and shrubs, weeds and thorns grow and grow."

Mr Hogan added: "One thing’s for certain – the overgrown and dirty roundabouts of Ledbury don’t reflect well on the town and something needs to be done about it."

Time is ticking, because Ledbury in Bloom judging day will take place on July 17, when the town will be chasing it's eleventh Royal Horticultural Society gold medal in a row.

Details of the judge's route are still to be made public, but the Ledbury Reporter understands that the two well-kept roundabouts will be shown as "show-piece" examples.

Meanwhile, both Ledbury in Bloom and Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Elaine Fieldhouse, say that behind the scenes talks are taking place to remedy the problem of the three other roundabouts that are not currently sponsored and are subsequently growing wild.

Clive Gunn, chairman of Ledbury in Bloom said: "I can assure Mr Hogan that there has been a lot of activity going on in the background to resolve the situation with the roundabouts.

"I know that there have recently been a number of meetings between Herefordshire Council, Ledbury Town Council and a number of interested parties. Ledbury Town Council have worked particularly hard to sort the situation out. It would be wrong to mention the interested parties at this stage but we are talking about local businesses who have the best interests of Ledbury at heart."

Mr Gunn added: "The 'Gold Standard' has been set at either end; I am sure that there will be some equally exciting developments on the other roundabouts in the near future."

Cllr Fieldhouse said: "We are talking to local businesses about the roundabouts and there are people who are interested in taking them on, as an ongoing thing."

The licences to to take on roundabouts need to come from Herefordshire Council.

Cllr Fieldhouse said the town council was working with the county council on the wording of those licences, "to make them sound more attractive".