IT was another community effort in Little Sutton recently as groups planted daffodil bulbs ready for spring.

The planting will go towards the Ellesmere Port in Bloom bid for 2020, part of RHS Britain in Bloom.

Around 5,000 bulbs were planted by community group Positive Action for Little Sutton (PALS) at the top locations in Little Sutton suggested by a Facebook poll in July, including underneath the new Little Sutton signs, the Wetherby Way junction, Ledsham Road and Station Road.

Fourth on the poll was Little Sutton Church of England Primary School. Two Year 6 Environmental Officers from Little Sutton C of E Primary School, ably assisted by their year classmates and members of the school community, prepared the ground and planted the bulbs on the grassed area outside the school.

Year 5/6 teacher Jane Edwards said: “We are delighted that our small village school was voted as one of the top locations in the village to receive bulbs to be planted.

"It was a rainy day for the planting and we got soaked, but we took satisfaction in knowing the bulbs have been well watered by the clouds and look forward to seeing the beautiful display outside school in the spring.”

The daffodil bulbs were purchased for PALS by councillors Paul Donovan, Nicole Meardon, Diane Roberts, Christine Warner and Peter Wheeler from their member budgets. Other daffodil bulbs have also been planted by the Street Scene team.

Steve Hewitt from PALS said: “It is clear that spring flowers are important to a lot of people. We had a tremendous response to our Facebook poll with well over 100 people letting us know where they wanted flowers to appear.

"This was then backed up with lots of volunteers helping to plant the bulbs on cold and damp November and December days.

"We’re extremely grateful to the volunteers who helped make the area brighter for everybody. I can’t wait for spring to see them in bloom.”

Ellesmere Port were awarded silver at the RHS Britain in Bloom awards for their Ellesmere Port in Bloom application for 2019.

The Bloom theme for 2020 is Grow Social, and groups are encouraged to make new connections in their communities through plants, reaching ‘beyond the garden gate’ to bring people together.

Jo Pemberton, chair of Ellesmere Port in Bloom, added: “The community effort has been heartening and made us all proud to be part of it.

"Seeing all the dedicated efforts from our communities who have worked together towards the silver award makes for a stronger campaign in 2020. Well done to all involved.”