Brighton and Hove has been shortlisted for the first time in the prestigious Britain in Bloom competition.

The city's pansies and petunias will be up against the likes of Southport, Llandudno, Scarborough and Felixstowe in the Large Coastal Resort category.

The city has regularly performed well in the South East in Bloom contest but has never been considered good enough by judges to make the national finals.

The Royal Horticultural Society introduced the new coastal category this year and it has allowed Brighton and Hove to demonstrate its flower power on a bigger stage.

Karl Heyman, Brighton and Hove City Council's grounds maintenance manager, was today quietly confident of success.

He said: "We are up against quite a few smaller places. But it should be a bit easier for us because we already fulfil the strict entry criteria. These are things like recycling, flower displays and keeping the city clean.

"For the last two years, we have had first place in South East in Bloom and we are entering that again this year.

"We are entering the national contest through our existing budget. The South East judges are coming in July and we will take them on exactly the same route as the national judges in August."

Mr Heyman said the route would start in Hove and take in features such as the floral clock at Palmeira Square before heading to Preston Park, Kemp Town and ending in Rottingdean.

He added: "I think our chances of winning are quite high. If we are clean and tidy for the judging and we have good weather, then we have a very good chance."

Bob Sweet, chairman of the Britain in Bloom judges, said: "Finalists will be assessed against four pillars - horticultural excellence, community involvement, environmental friendliness and sustainability."

Elsewhere in the county, Horsham has once again been nominated in the large town category. It was a finalist in both 1999 and 2000.

Brighton and Hove is also one of 20 authorities shortlisted in the RHS National Flowerbed Competition in July.