Schools, residents and neighbourhood groups are being given the chance to brighten up their neighbourhoods through a new council initiative.

‘The Big Bulb Giveaway 2019’ will take place over the weekend of October 18 to 20, and will see Waltham Forest Council make available 100,000 bulbs to the community to improve the local environment.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: “It’s always a pleasure to join schools, residents, and community groups to get our hands dirty and plant an amazing variety of new bulbs in our parks and open spaces.

“Plants and flowers give a boost to mental health and provide food for bees and other wildlife – not to mention the effects that plants and trees have cleaning polluted air.

“The kids really enjoy getting mucky and planting the bulbs, and they do an excellent job that we all benefit from in the spring when all the bright new bulbs come into flower. We’d love as many people as possible to get involved and help make their community a little bit more colourful. If you can spare even just a few hours to lend a hand it would be great to have you on board.”

This year’s event is set to be the biggest ever – with four times more bulbs available thanks to the council’s park and open spaces team and waste team, and sponsorship from environmental services Urbaser.

If you are interested in the bulb giveaway and would like to get involved, visit: Environmental.Services@walthamforest.gov.uk.