BRIERLEY HILL is now filled with flowers, thanks to local students as part of Brierley Hill in Bloom.

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Anne Millward, was special guest of honour at the event on June 10.

Horticultural students from Dudley College joined pupils from Brierley Hill Primary School and representatives from Brierley Hill Community Forum, Cluster Connect, Brierley Hill Market and Top Church Training to help brighten up the town centre.

Residents were also entertained with a wellie trail and crafts, and invited to share their thoughts on what’s ‘blooming’ great about Brierley Hill.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise said: "After a really difficult 12 months for residents and businesses, it’s fantastic to see Brierley Hill lively with activity again.

Stourbridge News: The Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Anne Millward, with the unique planters helping Brierley Hill bloomThe Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Anne Millward, with the unique planters helping Brierley Hill bloom

"People from all across the community have come together to organise this event, which shows there’s real pride in the local area."

Shane Birch-Bastock, Brierley Hill in Bloom organiser and member of the Brierley Hill Community Forum said: "It was very rewarding to see lots of people out enjoying the activities, and we hope to plan many more events throughout the year with support from our partners and volunteers."

Brierley Hill in Bloom is sponsored by Dudley College and the plants will be maintained throughout the summer by volunteers from Brierley Hill Musical Theatre Company, St Michael’s Bell Ringers, Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Dudley Council for Voluntary Service and Brierley Hill Market.

Claire Millard, assistant principal at Dudley College, said: "Being part of the Brierley Hill in Bloom project is a fantastic opportunity for students from our Aspire programmes to gain essential experience in developing employability skills in the horticulture sector.

"The learners really enjoy the sense of pride that seeing their work appreciated by the public gives them."

To assist volunteers with the watering of plants, water containers have been funded by the Brierley Hill High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) which is a Government funded project being delivered by Historic England and Dudley Council.