The first of thousands of flowers have been planted in Barnoldswick as part of the town council’s “Barlick in Bloom” initiative.

Town councillors helped to hang 130 baskets and a pair of two-tonne planters – bought by Pendle Council’s West Craven Area Committee – has been hoisted into place on the square.

“They’ll look splendid with flowers cascading from the different tiers,” said Coun David Whipp.

Work to plant summer flowers in 14 town centre beds and hang a further 28 planters was expected to be completed last week.

Coun Marjorie Adams said: “With a decent summer, the floral displays should look glorious.

“A lot of effort is going in to making the beds better and with arrangements in place for extra spring and winter planting, Barnoldswick should look good all year round.”

Coun Adams is keen to get residents and companies involved with planting even more flowers and will ask Barnoldswick Town Council to hold a public meeting about the issue.

“I’d like to see us entering Britain in Bloom next year and holding an open gardens event,” she said.

“It’s vital to get residents and businesses involved with both activities.”

The town council has engaged Earby landscape contractor JLM Ltd to water the hanging baskets and to look after most of the floral displays all year round.

Pendle Council’s parks department will look after other areas, including new landscaping in front of Holy Trinity Church.

Chamber of Trade representative Lisa Johnson, speaking at a recent Barnoldswick Town Council meeting, told councillors that an all-year-round planting scheme was vital for the town.

“We’ve got to get Barnoldswick back on the map,” she said. “The look of the town is absolutely crucial.”