THE mystery men behind the impromptu potato planting on a Kington roundabout last week harvested their bumper crop, shrouded in secrecy.

The experiment, which amused and bemused locals in equal measure, has a more serious purpose –the group’s anonymous spokesman told the Hereford Times.

The three-man “guerrilla group” – believed to have come from the nearby allotments – wanted to give an example of the kind of creative project the town’s roundabouts could be used for if responsibility for their upkeep was handed over Kington Town Council from the county’s highways contractor Balfour Beatty.

“Everyone in the community has been really supportive,” said the spokesman.

“Like other KLEEN projects – it helps us all think.

“The town is looking to take on the management of the roundabout and hold a competition where people can vote on what they are used for.

“Personally, I would plant three Scots pine – which used to be a symbol of safe haven, and might help the tourist trade – but you never know, someone might want to put up a naked statue.”