A SHOPPING centre in Yate has been given a seasonal makeover thanks to businesses and organisations in the area.

Volunteers turned out en masse in Abbotswood on Saturday (March 29) to give the district centre a spring clean. They painted benches and railings, installed new bins, planted bulbs and carried out litter picking.

Bird boxes were also installed to attract new wildlife to the area.

The spruce up was organised by Jacob’s Well, a community group working to improve the area, and involved Abbotswood Action group, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, local police, St Nicholas Family Centre and South Gloucestershire Council community engagement officer Jacqui Ward. Shopkeepers in Abbotswood also supported the family-friendly event.

Ruth Ward, from Jacob’s Well, said: “It was a lovely sunny day and everything went very well. We already have a bird which has taken up home thanks to the new bird boxes.

“The idea was to move on from just litter picking and try to do up the area. It looks very nice as a result.”

Following the spring clean, residents in Abbotswood should expect a questionnaire through their letter box in April asking them what further improvements they would like to see in the community.

Completed forms can be returned using the envelope provided and there will be collection boxes in local shops, the family centre and the Abbotswood Inn.