A competition has been launched to give children and young people in Nottingham the opportunity to design two new sculptures for the city’s popular Floral Trail.

The award-winning scheme, which aims to make Nottingham as attractive a place as possible over the summer months to encourage more people to visit, is organised by Nottingham City Council as part of the Nottingham in Bloom campaign, in conjunction with the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID).

A key part of the city’s summer landscape for the past four years, the Floral Trail’s eye-catching planters are dotted around the city and contain imaginatively designed wicker sculptures which are planted with floral arrangements.

Each one represents a different item that can be bought in the city centre or an item which shows how people can enjoy themselves in Nottingham. The 14-strong trail currently features: a handbag, a shoe, a perfume bottle, a jacket, a dress, a hat, a ring, a teapot, a chair, a champagne bottle, a guitar & treble clef, a coffee cup and last year’s competition winners, a cupcake and an ice-skate.

The theme of this year’s competition is ‘Enjoying yourself in Nottingham’, for example, eating, drinking, shopping or leisure activities. The item could be something that represents the attractions and history of Nottingham such as a bike, football boots, theatre mask or cricket bat. It could be something to represent services and leisure time in the city, for instance a cocktail glass, cutlery or a hamburger or something you can buy in the city such as an umbrella, book, lamp or radio. Alternatively, young people can come up with their own ideas. The winning designs will be planted up with flowers and be on display in the city from June to the end of September 2015.

Councillor Dave Trimble, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Nottingham BID on this initiative again and to be running another design competition as it’s a brilliant way for children to express their creativity in a way that can really be recognised. Simple designs work best – be bold, creative and, above all, have fun. We can’t wait to see the designs and the two winning ones which will eventually join the Floral Trail as beautiful wicker sculptures.”

Neil Fincham, a director of the Nottingham BID, said: “The Floral Trail that we jointly fund with Nottingham City Council is really popular, with lots of people saying how much they like it, so it’s great that we are expanding it further and giving local youngsters the opportunity to show off their design skills once again.

“The sculptures really help to enhance the appearance of the city centre and encourage people to visit the various parts of the city where the sculptures are located.”

Entrants must be under 18 and should send their entries to the Nottingham in Bloom team by February 20 for consideration.

More information from the competitions page of the Nottingham in Bloom website www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/bloom