More than 2,500 purple crocus bulbs were planted at Jordans Mill in Biggleswade on Sunday to help raise awareness and funds for the global eradication of polio.

The Comet: Volunteers get to work planting the crocuses as part of the Purple4Polio campaign.Volunteers get to work planting the crocuses as part of the Purple4Polio campaign. (Image: Archant)

Members of the public braved the elements to lend their support to Rotary International’s Purple4Polio campaign, with volunteers coming from the mill, Biggleswade’s Rotary Club branch and elsewhere.

And in addition to crocus planting, visitors on the day were able to enjoy a special teddy bear trail around the grounds of Jordans Mill, with the chance of winning a giant purple teddy called Boris. Four-year-old Jessica Leonard was the lucky winner who took Boris home.

Jordans Mill marketing manager Nicky Carlyle, who attended the crocus planting day with her three children, said: “It was fantastic to see lots of visitors and families planting the purple crocuses in our mill gardens.

The Comet: Four-year-old Jessica Leonard won the teddy bear trail and got to take Boris the bear home.Four-year-old Jessica Leonard won the teddy bear trail and got to take Boris the bear home. (Image: Archant)

“We are now very much looking forward to the spring, when the bulbs will bloom to reveal a stunning show of purple providing a lasting reminder of why eradicating polio is so important.”