A GAS company is apologising with flowers for the inconvenience of a lengthy roadworks scheme.

Transco has finished work in the Otley Road area of Harrogate, which caused months of disruption.

Now the area is to benefit as the town starts its build-up to the Entente Florale - Europe in Bloom - competition. As well as repairing the verges, a £1,000 donation towards planting has been made.

A council spokesman said: "As a gesture of goodwill, we are very pleased that Transco has responded in this way.

"Although Transco would usually only be required to soil and seed the damaged grass verges they have agreed to fully repairing them so that they can be well established in time for the July judging."

Transco operations manager Mark Chapman said: "With a bit of luck, our horticultural makeover in Otley Road will add to the town's already stunning display in Entente Florale. Harrogate is as pretty as a picture and can rival anywhere in Europe. We want to keep it that way."