GREEN-FINGERED volunteers turned out in force to chip in with a planting project to spruce up a community space.

More than 35 people got their hands dirty to help with the Keep the Green Clean scheme, set up to keep the Greenstead green area in good shape.

On Saturday morning they planted 2,000 daffodils, as well as hundreds of bulbs and flower seeds.

One of the organisers Allan Walker said: “The Keep the Green Clean project was set up five years ago to clean up the dog mess and fly tipping which was ruining the green.

“Since then it has really developed and now we are able to do other things and go over and beyond to make sure it looks good for the community.

“We had an excellent turnout, and a real mixture of locals and people from further afield.

“There were people from the community, councillors and members from the church, including two people from Canada.

“Hopefully it will look really good. We’ll know in a few months time when the flowers start to come through, and we want to get all the volunteers back to see the fruits of their labours then.”

Last month the Keep the Green Clean scheme won an award for best community project 2015, handed out by Colchester in Bloom.

Organisers want to make the planting session an annual event.