AN ENVIRONMENTAL group is encouraging nature lovers to pick up their trowels and support a planting initiative on Saturday morning.

The Transition Town Nailsea group, inspired by the BBC programme Bees and Butterflies and Blooms, will plant nectar-bearing wildflowers along part of the Golden Valley bridleway.

Owned and managed by Nailsea Town Council, the popular route has had a cycle track added in the past year, with new hedges put in, meaning many of the ground-covering wildflowers have been destroyed.

The group will buy foxgloves, primroses, wood violets and woundwort with a grant from the council, which will be put in from 10am-noon, with further planting taking place later in the year.

Cash donations to buy more seedlings is welcome before the event and families are urged to bring their own wildflowers, especially shade-loving ones, on the day, as well as their own trowel, fork and water.

Group spokesman Pat Gilbert said: “We know that at times, the upgrading of the bridleway/cycle path has caused some distress to local residents, but they now have an opportunity to come along and help to make it a beautiful green corridor once again.

“When the hedgerows have grown up and thickened and wildflowers are established all along their bases it will be a lovely route that all residents can enjoy and will also be a rich habitat for birds and animals.”