A garden competition which aims to make the borough bloom every summer has been scrapped due to a cash shortage.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council will not compete in this year's South and South East in Bloom awards because it would take up too much time and cost too much to enter.

Last year the borough scooped six prizes, including a silver award for Reigate and a silver gilt award for Priory Park, but changes to the way the competition is judged mean more officer time and community involvement would be needed if the borough was to enter in 2010.

A council spokesman said: "The judging criteria has changed considerably, requiring much more officer time as well as a much greater level of community involvement to ensure success.

"As such entering is not viable in this current economic climate."

Pam Alexander, who won outstanding awards in 2008 and 2009 for her work with neighbours in Greystones Drive, Reigate, said she was upset the borough would not be entering the competition organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Mrs Alexander said: "I'm very disappointed.

"It's a real shame and I don't even know if the council will be able to enter next year."

Since the borough started entering In Bloom in 2007 Mrs Alexander has helped get community and business support and pleaded with shop owners in the town to sponsor flowers for the contest. She had wanted to enter Reigate in the competition regardless of the council ruling and had the backing of the Reigate Business Guild, but the new In Bloom rules made it impossible for her to do so.

Mrs Alexander said: "It's changed so much – you're supposed to enter information for the whole year with figures on the environment, dog fouling – everything has to be covered.

"There's no point in entering. I have no time left."

Mrs Alexander said she will still do her best to make sure Reigate town centre looks its best this summer – even without the need to impress any judges.

The council will still be entering Priory Park for In Bloom as well as the Green Flag Awards this year, as the parks staff can fulfil much of the judging criteria as part of their usual work.

The council has not ruled out competing in future years.

Since 2008 Horley Town Council has submitted its own entries and overseen its own judging visits.