H OW sad that it has come to this — the prospect of plastic hanging baskets, rather than the real thing, being on display in some North Devon communities this summer.

While the

Journal

can see the strains and stresses which are placed on Northam Town Council as a result of having to pay for and maintain real floral baskets, we have surely reached a pretty pass if the answer comes in artificial form!

Yes, there will be the usual issues of tricky finances to overcome but surely the prospect of plastic petunias or pansies being on display all summer should spur the wider community into stepping forward and helping, through volunteering or donations?