The planting of more than 15,000 flowers around Workington got under way this week as part of an international project to raise awareness of polio.

The Rotary's Purple4Polio campaign calls on people to plant the purple crocus as a symbol of the group's plan to eradicate polio, representing the purple dye used to mark the fingers of immunised children.

Workington Town Council, with the Workington and Derwent Rotary Clubs, has recruited volunteers to plant the bulbs from South Workington Youth Partnership, Workington Nature Partnership and Workington in Bloom.

Chris Bagshaw, town clerk at Workington Town Council, said: "The Rotary has asked us for the last few years if we would help them plant these crocuses as a reminder of their campaign against polio and the fact that we've only got a small distance to go to eradicate it.

"I think people appreciate the bulbs when they come out in the spring because they just bring a bit of colour to what would otherwise be quite dull grassland.

"It's a good exercise all-round because it brings volunteers in and it's something they can see the results of in six months and everybody's proud to be able to say they planted some of those.

"We're very grateful to the Rotary and in turn I'm sure they're grateful to the volunteers.

"We expect to get it done in the next week or so."

The planting of the Ruby Giant bulbs started at Hall Park yesterday and they will also be put in place at locations around the town including Vulcan Park, Moss Bay and Moorclose.

Ian Johnston, president elect at Workington Rotary, added: "Last year they were a spectacular showing and we were very pleased with them and the help we got.

"I think in the spring when it's just starting to get warm they'll look really nice.

"It's something that children will remember for many years to come.

For more information or to volunteer, call the town council on 01900 702986