THORNBURY's bid for Britain in Bloom honours is at risk after power station bosses pulled the plug on the town's most important display.

Management at British Nuclear Fuels say they can no longer foot the bill for flowers at the town pump at the Plain - arguably the single most eye-catching feature of the town's highly acclaimed floral scheme.

The decison has come as a blow to Thornbury in Bloom organisers who are warning it could jeopardise the town's entry into this year's South West Britain in Bloom contest.

"The pump is the feature that everyone sees as they enter the town and is certainly one of the most popular displays with residents and visitors alike," said committee chairman and town clerk, Judith Payne.

"British Nuclear Fuels have been sponsoring it for as many years as I can remember and this year we were counting on their traditional donation of £500.

"But they've just told us that they're now only supporting "one off" community schemes and they won't be sponsoring the pump any longer.

"It would have been nice if they had told us earlier so we could start looking for new support.

"If we can't find sponsors for the pump we may have to give up on Britain in Bloom in 2005. The town council gives us a £750 grant but that's all the support we receive. The rest of the cost has to come from our own fundraising."

British Nuclear Group spokesman Tim Jones said they warned in writing as long ago as May 2003 that the sponsorship policy was being reviewed.

"The criteria actually changed last year and we are now supporting more welfare and socio-economic projects and working in partnership with Severn Vale Community Development," he said. "The funding for Thornbury in Bloom was a significant slice of our annual sponsorship budget.

"We are sorry this has happened but they were warned. In an ideal world we would support everything we were asked to but in reality we can't do that."

Businesses, organisations or individuals wishing to step into the breach and rescue the pump display should call Judith Payne at the town hall on 01454 412103.