CONGLETON'S award-winning floral displays could be hit by moves to slash £20,000 from borough council spending on bedding plants.

The town's colourful displays, including those on three roundabouts, have helped Congleton to earn top North West in Bloom and Civic Pride awards.

However spending on plants for displays across the borough is due to be cut to prevent the council's grounds maintenance operations section being in the red by next April.

Leisure boss Bob Hardiker said a major review of the section was urgently required to ensure it was able to produce an operating surplus, or at the very least break even.

He added, however, that any cut in grounds maintenance funding would affect the viability of the landscape operations unit, and its staffing levels in particular.

''Annual bedding is the greatest contributory factor to the apparent high costs of the authority, as shown in league tables,'' he said.

''Nevertheless the high quality and high profile of floral displays is the most appreciated element of the service by the community and visitors to the area, and has earned considerable merit, reflected in the successes of civic awards.''

The annual bedding displays were targetted on high profile areas, he said, such as parks, gardens and roundabouts.

''An objective review, however, suggests that there are some areas where savings could be made by reducing the amount of bedding,'' he said.

''Alternative design would however seek to maintain the high quality of presentation.''

The roundabout displays played their part in Congleton's success this year in the North West in Bloom and Cheshire Best Kept Village and Civic Pride competitions.

Congleton in Bloom won an award for community effort in the former contest.

Congleton Millennium Projects group won an award in the latter for the tidiest town in Cheshire, Alsager earning an award from the same contest for the most improved community.

Bedding plants are put in twice a year, in June and the autumn.

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