Traders have been encouraged to bring their streets to life by using floral decorations with royal colours to celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee.

Pubs, cafes and businesses will fill their hanging baskets and window boxes with gold, crimson, purple and white flowers for this year’s Richmond in Bloom Diamond Jubilee shopping parade competition.

Participants can enter as a complete high street, a group of six adjacent shops, a side of a street or a square.

Lord True, leader of Richmond Council, said: “The idea came out of a discussion I had with Richmond in Bloom. I’m incredibly grateful for the way they have taken up the idea.

“Their competition will bring businesses together, encourage shoppers and create a royal theme throughout Richmond. Their idea of using the royal colours for this jubilee year makes complete sense to me - and I hope if the project is a success, that the competition will be repeated for years to come.”

Bloom enthusiasts attended a launch event at the council’s headquarters in Twickenham, on Friday, February 24.

A panel, which included Lord True and Pat Schooling, chairwoman of Richmond in Bloom, faced questions about whether they believed all traders could afford to take part during the tough economic climate. Jane Witham, landlady of the Jolly Coopers pub in High Street, Hampton, said: “Flowers are not going to be a priority for those who are hanging on by their fingernails.

“I agree with it 100 per cent but it costs me a fortune to do the flowers at the front and back of my pub. Talking to people in Hampton and the traders’ association, they’ve got far more important things on their mind than flowers at the moment.”

Lord True said: “Even in difficult times there is room for fun - and I’m sure that many customers of high street shops will be ready to spare a pound to help them make a superb local display for this historic event.”

The participants judged top of each group will get a £500 cash prize to spend on improving their shopping parade and the runner-up will get £250.

The overall winner will get a Richmond in Bloom commemorative trophy and a trip for six people to the House of Lords with Lord True.

Last year the borough won a silver gilt in the Britain in Bloom competition.

For more information, visit richmondboroughinbloom.co.uk.