LOCAL Brownies have shown support for the Rotary Club's "Purple4Polio" campaign by taking part in a mass planting of bulbs at Tarrington.

The Purple4Polio campaign by Rotary International, in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, aims to plant 5m purple crocuses across Great Britain and Ireland - to raise awareness of Rotary’s fund-raising activities in the battle to eradicate polio from the planet.

Ledbury Rotary spokesman, Jan Long said of the planting session at Tarrington: "In spite of a chilly evening, eighteen people, including the 1st Tarrington Brownies along with Brown Owl Annette Embrey and Harrison the Polio Eradication Bear, arrived at Tarrington’s Lady Emily Hall, to plant crocus bulbs into the shape of the Rotary Roundel emblem which had been marked out on the grassed area.

"Rotarian John Tallis chatted with all those who had helped, giving them information about the End Polio now campaign."

Mrs Long added:"Brown Owl remarked that this activity was in keeping with the Brownies world Challenge projects and they were delighted to be involved.

"Everyone received gifts of a purple crocus lapel flower and a square of cake. It was a joyful event for all and we are grateful for the huge efforts made by all."

Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease that Rotary has been working hard to eradicate globally since 1985.

Rotary has helped to immunise 2.5 billion children around the world and the world is closer than it has ever been to eradicating polio.

Mrs Long said: "Although many countries are no longer polio-endemic, they are still at risk of the disease returning, making continued immunisation programmes vitally important. Amongst our many partners are Bill and Melinda Gates whose Foundation have matched monies raised to beat Polio."