Whitehaven Town Council has been working on an initiative to help to brighten up the town. 

Over the past week, the council has installed over one hundred hanging baskets around the town centre. 

The councillors have decided this will be a great way to brighten up the town and make the area a nicer place to live for everyone. 

Chris Hayes, mayor of Whitehaven, said: "We decided a couple of years ago now to brighten the town up with hanging baskets and planters, it just took off from there. 

"More and more people were asking for them and 179 baskets have gone up this week, just to brighten the town up really. 

"We've had lots of positive feedback, I had one lady stop me on my way down to the office and say that she wanted one for her business, so I explained that she could put her name down and she'll be able to get one next year for outside her shop on Lowther Street. 

Whitehaven News: Hanging baskets outside The Rum Story Hanging baskets outside The Rum Story (Image: Whitehaven Town Council)

"We've just been building it up every year, it's gone from around 120 and now we have almost 180. 

"I think it's our job as the Town Council to make the people of Whitehaven appreciate what they've got. 

"The town is a gem, it needs a lot of work at the moment and St Nicholas' Gardens is getting done up so we want the town to be what it used to be.

"There's a lot of planting going on at the moment and grass and hedges being cut so it's all being done."

Councillor Edwin Dinsdale added: "There are no two ways about it, the hanging baskets do give everybody a lift and from a town perspective they do tend to brighten the area up. 

"I think it's a very good initiative and in years gone by the Town Council has entered Cumbria in Bloom, I know that does create a bit of negative attention but for me, it gives everyone a focus with the hanging baskets and flower beds we've got it gives them something to aim for and improves and maintains standards."