From red lights to green shoots

Balsall Heath is entered in the urban community section

An inner city region of Birmingham once notorious for its red light district will find out on Tuesday if it has won a national garden competition.

Balsall Heath is one of five finalists in the urban community section of the Britain in Bloom contest.

Since the problem of prostitution was largely eradicated in the area following a clean-up operation in 2000, residents have been busy transforming derelict land into gardens and organising roadside flower displays.

Joe Amatiello, the head gardener in Balsall Heath, said the facelift has made a real difference to the area.

"The people have really picked up their spirits and feel much happier when they come out of their doors.

A campaign to rid the streets of prostitutes has been a success

"They see a bit of colour and it gives them a boost."

Retired police officer, Pat Wing, who was once responsible for dealing with the prostitution problem, is one of the people who helped co-ordinate Balsall's Heath's green revolution.

He said: "There are some brilliant gardens.

"In houses where you wouldn't imagine there'd be a garden like that, you go there and it's full of colour.

"More and more people are getting involved, not only in their own gardens, but outside in the road."

The winners of the Britain in Bloom contest - which calls itself the biggest horticultural campaign in Europe - will be named at a ceremony in London on Tuesday night.