A SPECIAL flowerbed containing thousands of plants has been created to celebrate a mayor's civic year.

Coun Vilma Collins, mayor of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, has the words "Mayor 2001: V Collins" spelled out in more than 1,700 yellow pyretherum golden moss, set on a red backing of 6,000 red leaf alternanthera.

The council's logo is also made up out of 800 green leaf sempervivum and 800 blue leaf echeveria.

Coun Collins paid tribute to the handiwork of the council's grounds maintenance staff who planted the bed of flowers outside the borough's town hall on Fabian Road, Eston.

She said: "I think it's absolutely marvellous and shows the capability of our workforce. I've never had my name in lights - but now I've got my name in flowers!"