WHO could guess potatoes would be so popular with children?

But they are back by popular request as part of this year’s Bexley in Bloom competition.

Bexley’ schools have three categories in this year’s competition.

The first is the heaviest pot of potatoes, where schools will be given a standard container and challenged to grow the heaviest crop of spuds.

In the second category, pupils will be invited to grow a container of plants.

Children can choose any kind of container, from a standard hanging basket to a shopping trolley and there will be etra marks from the judges for any novelty value.

The third category is school gardens.

The closing date for school entries is May 20.

Schools will also have a separate awards where the winners will receive certificates, trophies and voucher prizes.

The school with the most points will win the Serco trophy The closing dates for entries to the main competition is June 10.

Categories include front gardens with permanent planting and front gardens with seasonal planting or containers, back gardens, community gardens, business and public premises and best pub or restaurant.

The allotment category has three classes, best plot, best site and best children’s plot.

There will also be prizes for best first time entrant and outstanding achievement.

Judging will be notified with a postcard through the letterbox.

Every entry will be judged by nationally recognised standards and be awarded an appropriate certificate as well as a mini-report with constructive comments.

At the award ceremony, every entrant will be presented with their certificate and the winners will receive trophies and vouchers from Ruxley Manor Garden Centre.

The business or public premises winner will have their business profiled in News Shopper.