MORE than 2,000 plants were handed out free of charge in a bid to help make a town bloom.

Every year Colchester Council hosts a Trees for Years event in Sheepen Road.

It gives residents the opportunity to come and pick up some free trees to plant at home.

This year, the trees were sold out by lunchtime.

A Colchester Council spokesperson said: “The 13th Trees for Years event was a great success, with all the plants given away before 12.15pm.

“A total of 2,019 trees and shrubs were handed out to more than 1,000 people who attended the event – 90 per cent of them residents with the remainder representing schools, parish councils and local community groups.”

Queues were forming from 8.15am, with the first plants being given away just before 9am.

Tina Bourne (Lab) Colchester councillor responsible for communities, said: “It was wonderful to see so many residents grab the chance to brighten up their gardens.

“The Trees for Years giveaway is always a fantastic and hugely popular event, which continues to prove Colchester residents share our commitment to create a Better Colchester.

“I’d like to thank idVerde for continuing to sponsor the scheme and for their generous donation of such a wonderful variety of trees.”