Floral trails around Oxford are being planned to mark the Queen's jubilee celebrations and boost the city's chances in a prestigious national competition.

The Oxford in Bloom committee, which organises the city's annual gardening competition, sponsored by the Oxford Mail, has teamed up with Oxford City Council's tourism department to launch two walks around the city.

A short and long trail are being planned, taking in the city's floral displays and historic buildings.

The project will coincide with Oxford's entry in the national Britain in Bloom finals this year.

The city was nominated to represent the South of England in the UK competition after winning the southern regional finals in August last year.

Businesses in the city will be encouraged to display floral trail stickers in their windows and leaflets with details about the circular walks will be distributed to hotels and tourist information centres.

Karen Roberts, chairman of the Oxford in Bloom committee, said: "Oxford is a very difficult city to drive in, so the trails will encourage people to walk and see the wonderful floral displays.

"It is also felt that after the September 11 terrorist attacks in the USA, many more British people will be holidaying in England."

The trails are expected to be launched in June.

Mike Gass, Oxford in Bloom co-ordinator at the city council, said: "I think the project is going to open up hidden spaces in Oxford, both for local residents and the thousands of visitors to the city."

Jan Hull, the council's tourism manager, welcomed the initiative, which she said would help spread visitors more evenly around the city.

Ms Hull said: "Oxford is a city made for walking, which is how you discover its hidden corners, so trails taking in the city's wonderful floral displays are a lovely idea."

The Oxford Mail's jubilee website, providing information on all the local events, is due to go live on January 29. Its address will be www.oxfordshirejubilee.com