THE era of Ledbury's scruffy roundabouts appears to be over, much to the delight of local residents, as local companies queue up to take them on.

All five roundabouts on the bypass have now secured sponsorship for 2018, and comments this week on social media have been almost overwhelmingly positive, not least because a tidy-up has already started.

Posting on the Voice of Ledbury Facebook site, local resident Maggie Caldecourt said: " Well done everyone involved. Ledbury looks much better already."

And Lynn Maddocks added: "It's brilliant. I can’t wait to see them in all their glory next summer."

Jan Long said: " That is good news - Ledbury is a delightful town and the entrances and exits should be attractive to enhance the economy and tourism."

And Susan Gardner Roberts added: "I'd like to say a big thank you to the sponsors. It is much appreciated."

Community spirit has grown so strong, a waiting list may be formed for businesses who missed out this time but may wish to offer sponsorship in the future and get stuck in.

Cllr Bob Barnes, chairman of the town's economic development and planning committee said: "We've had takers on all the licences for the roundabouts. We've had a very positive response, and we may even have a waiting list. It's good news, because it is important to give a give impression of the town for anyone driving around the bypass.

"It is excellent that all the roundabouts have now been taken up, and I hope to see some good planting designs."

Last summer alarm bells were rings, with only two out of five roundabouts on the town's bypass sponsored by local businesses, and the other three left to grow unkempt and apparently unloved.

And because the roundabouts are gateway entrances to the town, unfounded fears grew that Ledbury would miss out on gold in this year's Heart of England in Bloom competition.

At the time, only the roundabouts at the end of the bypass were sponsored and cared for – the showpiece roundabout with its new sculpture and colourful displays at the Gloucester Road end, which is sponsored by The Helping Hand Company, and the neatly kept roundabout next to the viaduct, which is sponsored by the Feathers Hotel.

Now the town council has issued roundabout maintenance licences for the three remaining licences to Galebreaker Group Ltd, Haygrove Ltd and Shane Howells Ltd.