WOTTON in Bloom organisers are set to take over an entire restaurant for a curry fundraiser in aid of this year’s hanging baskets.

The team will take-over The India Palace tandoori restaurant on the evening of Tuesday, May 9 to help attain a record order of 150 floral additions to the town.

Work has already started on checking the brackets for strength with the aim of hanging the baskets in late May.

Sue Hunt, a member of Wotton in Bloom for six years and chairman for the past five has played a key part in bringing the town to life one flower at a time, but also through maintenance, publicity and fundraising.

She said: “The best thing about Wotton in Bloom is of course the wonderful flowers and the difference that they make to our much loved town.

“A close second is the fantastic support that we get from everyone, residents, businesses, clubs, societies and visitors - but also the great friends that the Wotton in Bloom team have become, as well as displaying such creativity and working so hard.

"Our committee meetings are such fun and this fundraiser is simply an extension of those meetings.

"After each season the Wotton in Bloom committee has held a celebratory meal at the India Palace and, as the food is so good, we thought that it would be an idea to share some of the fun with others and raise some money at the same time.

“Being a Wotton in Bloomer really is great fun, we think that this is a brilliant opportunity for the team to enjoy one of our favourite restaurants, to spend an evening with our friends & supporters old & new AND to raise much needed funds.

“Every year the Wotton in Bloom volunteers try to think of new fundraising ideas for our project - and this year's is better than ever.”

It is then hoped that the baskets, gracing Wotton for an eighth season, will stay up at least until the town’s second Blues Festival which is to take place at the end of September.

Tickets for the event, which also features a raffle, cost £20 and are available from the Market Place in Long Street or via the Wotton in Bloom Facebook pages.

Space is limited so early booking is advised, especially for any groups contemplating an evening out.