Last year, with very few fundraising events, Wimborne in Bloom could only carry out a limited amount of planting and no hanging baskets were erected.

However, in a positive move, this year is a different story.

And in spite of no fundraising events to date the organisation has drawn on its reserves and coupled with funding from the various traders has put up 150 hanging baskets. Also thanks to generous support from the Friends of Canford School, the Wimborne Minster Town Council and some kind donations, the contractor Dutch Touch has planted up the flower towers and planters around town.

It is very much hoped that In Bloom will be able to run the annual Duck Race on August Bank Holiday Saturday 28 August and tickets at £1 each are already available for this. Plans are also in hand to hold the Open Gardens Day on Sunday 5 September.

A spokesman said: “Donations will be most welcome at this difficult time and will help towards the cost of watering all the floral displays until the end of summer. You can keep up to date by looking on the Wimborne in Bloom website: www.wimborneinbloom.org.uk or by contacting Richard Nunn on 01202 888793 or Anthony Oliver on 01202 888703.”