CHILDREN helped plant thousands of purple crocus on The Green in Devizes on Saturday as part of a bid to end polio.

Mayor Jane Burton joined members of Devizes Rotary Club for the start of the planting and were also helped by pupils from Devizes School and a number of families.

The Devizes initiative was part of a nationwide bid to plant six million crocus corms as part of the End Polio Now campaign.

Alan Martin from Devizes Rotary said purple was significant as when children are immunised around the world they have a finger dipped in purple dye to make sure none are missed.

He said: "Rotary’s mass of purple crocus is simply a symbolic representation of hundreds of children receiving immunisation."

Rotary Clubs have been raising money for 30 years to help stamp out polio and has seen spectacular results.

Mr Martin said: "Just 25 years ago, polio struck 350,000 children each year, while in 2015 only 74 cases were reported."

But he said the fight to eradicate it completely had to continue as new cases were still being found in Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He said: "Rotary International has committed more than £25 million for the immediate immunisation of children in Nigeria, and countries in the Chad Basin."

Fundraising continues in Devizes with Rotarians organising a starvation dinner on November 28 at One Spice in Maryport Street.

Around 80 people will enjoy an Indian meal knowing that the profit from their £20 per head cover charge will be going to polio campaign. Tickets are available by ringing Mr Martin on 07557 790363 or 01380 730974)