HELPING hands are needed as the Sodbury in Bloom team starts preparing for the new growing season.

Volunteers can join in two work days, the first involving planting new shrubs on Smarts Green roundabout and carrying out some general tidying up on Thursday, February 6.

Tubs in the High Street will get some attention on Thursday, March 6, with areas of ground also to be prepared for sewing seeds.

Anyone interested in getting involved should meet outside the Baptist Church at 10am. No experience is needed but they should take a trowel and pair of gardening gloves with them.

The Friends of St John's Riverside are also starting to organise events to help the campaign.

A walkabout and workday on Saturday, February 8, will give people the chance to see new bee hives, help clear a primrose bank and learn how to prune apple trees.

Anyone interested should meet in the community orchard area in Couzens Close at 10am