Things are blooming in the streets with garden enthusiasts planting more than 1,000 flowers to help brighten up their neighbourhood.

Almost 200 volunteers took part in Redbridge Council’s community planting at Oakfield Road in Ilford and outside Seven Kings station.

Social action days brought people together from all backgrounds — students, children, businesses, pensioners and even a mum with her 19-month-old baby.

Staff from Aston Estate Agents were among the businesses getting involved at Seven Kings.

“Planting outside the station creates a pleasant environment,” the company’s Yasir Adnan said. “They foster a sense of ownership and pride as well as beautifying the area and helping biodiversity.”

The two planting days led to green-fingered enthusiasts filling 48 planters at the two locations.

Flowers planted included petunia, begonia, geraniums and busy lizzies — all to improve biodiversity as well as brighten up the neighbourhood for the summer months.

The council’s neighbourhoods manager Joanne Smallman said: “Everyone worked together to create a colourful street scene. Our planting days are a big hit with all ages and gardening ability.”

Community gardening is one of several eco-projects in the local authority’s Our Streets programme focussing on social action with households to keep the streets “green, clean and attractive”.