News23 - Ashbourne News Online

Flower power bid to beat financial blues

FLOWER power means the Derbyshire Dales is blooming marvellous again for the spring and summer as the district bids to burst through the economic gloom.

Derbyshire Dales District Council grows more than 145,000 bedding plants and bulbs from seed each year to plant in parks and gardens across the area.

Council chief executive David Wheatcroft said: "Residents of the Dales tell us at the consultation events we run how important it is to maintain the beauty of our towns and villages.

“We believe in these tough economic times we must continue to do our utmost to help promote tourism to the Derbyshire Dales, which contributes £243 million and 5,440 jobs to the local economy, and to make the district as attractive as possible for existing and potential new business.

“The council is proud that 97 per cent of streets in the Dales are judged as litter-free, which is one of the best standards in the UK, and the floral displays look spectacular at this time of year."