GREEN-FINGERED residents are being encouraged to plant flowers outside their homes to brighten up Old Harwich.

About 1,000 daffodil bulbs were planted in St Nicholas’ churchyard, in Church Street, last Autumn in a bid to bring more colour to the town.

The bulbs were funded by the Harwich Town Residents’ Association and Harwich Secret Gardens.

Frances Vincent, of Helens Green, said she was the instigator of the bulb planting last year.

She said: “I got together a group of secret gardeners. It has been nothing formal, I’m just trying to make the town look nicer.”

The secret gardeners are hoping residents will put pots outside their homes all year round for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.

Jackie Denton, of Harwich Secret Gardens, said: “We put some money aside last year so flowers could be planted in St Nicholas’ Church yard. Our idea is to do this again this year.

“We also want to encourage people to put flower pots outside their houses and in their doorways to make the streets look nice.”