THE group charged with ensuring Colchester is in bloom this summer has appealed for people to come forward with a source of water to keep the town’s flowers alive.

Normally, hanging baskets, planters and tubs of flowers dotted around Colchester town centre are watered by Veolia, the contractor hired by Colchester Council to keep Castle Park looking attractive.

But the hosepipe ban introduced by Anglian Water last week means it is unlikely the firm's water supply will be on tap in 2012.

See Monday's Gazette for the full story