SHOPPERS and residents in Hyndburn will be treated to a blaze of glory this summer as thousands of pounds are spent on sprucing up floral displays in the borough.

Council bosses are hoping to build on their recent success in the Britain in Bloom contest by splashing out on hundreds of plants and flowers in town centres. More than £24,000 has been set aside to sow the seeds for colourful scenes in the summer months.

Accrington was nominated to represent the North West in the 1998 Britain in Bloom contest, after it finished runner-up in the regional large town category.

Although the town was unplaced in the finals, the whole of Hyndburn will benefit from the improvements the competition has brought.

Work has already begun, with more than 150 hanging baskets containing ivy and pansies so far displayed.

The baskets will be replaced with flowering plants in June which the council's green team hope will create a dazzling display.

Traditional lamp posts will go up at the war memorial in Oswaldtwistle, where benches and litter bins will be refurbished. In Harvey Street stonework and flower beds will be altered and in Union Road, bollards will be redecorated and hanging baskets will be installed.

Towngate in Great Harwood will also benefit from work on bollards, benches, Victorian street lamps and window boxes.

Similar work will be carried out in Barnes Square, Clayton-le-Moors, and trees and hanging baskets will be installed in Henry Street and Dill Hall Lane, Church, while Rishton High Street will get hanging baskets for its lamp posts.

A council spokesman said: "We only began entering Britain in Bloom in 1997, but we have done well.

"In order to build on that success, we are keen to brighten up all our communities. Now all we need is good weather!"

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