PEOPLE in Chipping Sodbury have been having their say on colourful ways to improve the town.

They have contributed ideas to the new Blooming Sodbury initiative, which aims to plant shrubs, flowers, bulbs and trees throughout the parish.

Town councillor Melody Gall, who came up with the idea, said she hoped to see Sodbury entered into the national In Bloom competition as early as next year.

She told the Gazette: "Where you plant an acorn, an oak tree grows.

"With a bit of effort we could make such a difference to Chipping Sodbury.

"I think a few flowers and bulbs really cheers people up."

A stall was set up during the Sodbury Festival carnival in June and residents were asked to put pins in a map of the town, marking areas they thought needed improvement.

The roads pinpointed for a splash of colour were Cotswold Road, Broad Street and High Street and St John’s Way as well as the main entrances to the town.

"Everyone was very complimentary," said Cllr Gall.

"It was interesting that many people said they loved Chipping Sodbury the way it is."

Everyone who took part in the exercise was entered in to a draw and the winners, Mrs Sommerill, of Frome Road, and six-year-old Lye Toye, from Hanham, were awarded prizes this week.

The town council has teamed up with South Gloucestershire Council to examine the map in more detail. It is hoped the local authority will contribute funding to plant foliage and flowers in different parts of the town and later in Old Sodbury.

Anyone who can act as a tree warden to nurture newly-planted trees or would like to join the In Bloom committee should contact Sodbury Town Council on 01454 864666.