BLACKBURN with Darwen Council spends thousands on its annual planting programme, and officers stress that mown daffodils are always wild ones.

Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the Conservative group on the council, explained the dilemma: "It's a difficult situation because people seem to complain either way about daffodils, if they are left or cut down."

Peter Hunt, director of direct services at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, explained the policy on cutting grass verges.

He said: "These are areas where we received a large number of complaints if they are left to grow. Many of these have been cut over the past couple of weeks as part of an annual grass-cutting programme.

"As everyone with a lawn garden will know, during the early spring and summer grass grows very rapidly and without cutting it soon grows up to seven or eight inches in height, making it look very untidy, and acting as a trap for stray litter.

"Where grass verges are near areas where cars park, such as near Witton Park school, if the grass is not cut it can cause problems for people opening the doors of their cars when parked up along these routes. It also acts as a barrier to people with prams or wheelchairs needing to go over the grass to get to the road to cross.

"On some of these verges there may be the odd clump of flowers growing. These could be growing wildly or may have been planted by someone other than the council, but they are not part of the annual planting programme undertaken by us.

"Unfortunately if we are to cut the grass on these verges and keep it tidy and reduce obstructions then it does mean that some flowers may be cut. The council will be planting crocus bulbs on these five verges this autumn which will flower early next spring, prior to the grass cutting programme and will bloom annually.

"In the case of the grassed area outside Mayfield flats as we said at the time, there was never any intention to mow down flowers which are actually part of the annual planting programme, our gardeners were simply there to tidy up the grass and the perimeter areas to help show off the blooms during this spring. They make a very impressive sight outside the flats.

"Blackburn with Darwen Council plants 3,000 trees and saplings, 5,000 shrubs, 2,800 bulbs, and 117,500 summer bedding plants every year to brighten up the surroundings. Starting next week our gardeners will be out creating six new gateway entrances to the borough complete with a range of plants and blooms that will create a bright sight for residents and visitors.

"Once again I reiterate the council does not have a policy of cutting down daffodils or other flowers, but simply an annual grass-cutting and planting programme to ensure a tidy and cared for borough with bright blooming flowers and well cared for grass."