VOLUNTEERS with Dursley In Bloom have been prevented from planting hundreds of bulbs, donated by local people, because of bureaucratic red tape.

The group has been told it needs a special licence to be able to plant on the side of roads in the town.

Fiona Firth, from the In Bloom team, said: "We’d never heard of it before and the Highways have said we have to pay £85 to plant any bulbs on the verge.

"It’s such a shame but is more of a problem for next year because they are spring bulbs.

"We were hoping that ourselves and lots of others could just get out there and plant the bulbs."

The licence, which would cost £85 plus admin costs and VAT, is necessary under the Highways Act 1980, which covers lawful and unlawful interference with highways.

It must be given by Gloucestershire County Council but can only be granted to a landowner, town or parish council and the Dursley In Bloom Committee has been told it does not fall under any of those groups.

Helen Bojaniwska, clerk for Dursley Town Council, said the council would be assisting the In Bloom team in applying for the licence.

Mrs Bojaniwska said: "In days gone by if you wanted to plant some bulbs on the verge you could, but now you have to get permission from highways and have to apply for a licence.

"It’s just more red tape for the group so the council is going to help and the bulbs will be planted later in the year."

Richard Gray, local highways manager for Gloucestershire County Council, said the situation was unfortunate but the authority was happy to support the Dursley In Bloom team as much as possible.

He said: "Dursley in Bloom is an important local event and we want to do everything we can to make it a success. Unfortunately a licence to cultivate the highway can only be granted to a parish or town council or the adjacent landowner. We will be happy to consider any application that comes through the town council."

This weekend Dursley is being visited by the South West In Bloom judges. It is just the second year Dursley In Bloom has entered the regional competition. Last year the town scooped a silver award and this year volunteers are hoping to do even better.