NEWENT employers MKM Building Supplies have sponsored Newent in Bloom for one thousand native wid daffodil bulbs.

And last Saturday morning (September 23), four local teenagers from Newent’s Aston Project got busy planting them outside MKM’s building.

Newent in Bloom co-ordinator, Lynn Ashton said: "The new MKM site is on a prominent corner of Newent Business Park, at the entrance to Newent where wild narcissi already grow in the hedgerows, so it is important to plant the local native species, not hybrid varieties.

"MKM’s staff have been very supportive of Newent in Bloom’s aims."

She added: "The Newent Aston Project is one of the youth and community groups who contribute time to volunteer with Newent in Bloom each year to make Newent town such a floral gem at the heart of the Three Counties."

Newent Aston Project organiser, Police Community Support Officer Tania Shuttleworth said “The young people aged from 11 to 14 worked really hard to complete the task in the two hours allotted, especially as like any building site, the soil tends to be stony.

"As well as digging hundreds of holes to plant the thousand bulbs, the young people also scattered thousands of wild flower seeds to add colour and pollinators that will feed the site’s wildlife next summer. I’m proud of the way they’ve worked.”

At the end of their session, MKM rewarded the youngsters for their efforts with hot chocolate, juice, crisps, sausage rolls and donuts.

MKM director Paul Donaldson thanked the young people and said:"This is typical of the great reception we’ve had since coming to Newent. The community has welcomed us, we are doing our share to support voluntary groups in the town, and in this case the environment benefits too. It’s a win win win situation.”