THE public spaces, parks and flower planters of East Cambridgeshire are about to bloom – and it s not simply down to the mild winter. Throughout December volunteers and East Cambridgeshire District Council s Parks and Open Spaces team spent many days weed

THE public spaces, parks and flower planters of East Cambridgeshire are about to bloom - and it's not simply down to the mild winter.

Throughout December volunteers and East Cambridgeshire District Council's Parks and Open Spaces team spent many days weeding out and replanting Ely's flower planters and public areas ready to flourish this month and next.

The unusually mild winter has meant that a range of snowdrops and winter aconites

have popped through the soil.

Keith Stronach, principal facilities officer at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "The Parks and Open Spaces team work closely with the Ely in Bloom committee to make sure Ely remains a beautiful city.

"Given the mild winter we have had, the bulbs planted in autumn may come through over the next few weeks and snowdrops and winter aconites are already in flower."

Ely last year won a Silver award in the Anglia in Bloom competition.

Cllr Shelia Friend-Smith, chairman of the Ely in Bloom Committee, said: "Although we were very pleased with our Silver Award last year we are not resting on our laurels and have exciting plans for this year.

"You can contribute directly to helping our work by either volunteering your time or money as the Mayor has done with his donation of £500. If you can help in any practical way or with fund raising please get in touch with me on 01353 663118.