HUNDREDS of hanging baskets packed full of flowers have finally gone up in Winchester ending fears the award-winning colourful displays would be ditched this year.
The threat to drop the floral displays had been suggested by the former Liberal Democrat-led council in a bid to save money and precious water supplies during the current drought.
However when the Tories won control of Winchester City Council in April, the new ruling party's first decision was to resurrect the traditional blooms the loss of which had caused widespread concern.
Local businesses had feared the previous decision not to put up the baskets would lead to a drop in tourism and visitors numbers.
Now though more than 300 baskets and planters, which have been sown with drought resistant plants, adorn Winchester streets and will stay in place until the end of the summer.
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