Flowerbeds in Worthing, West Sussex will don a more colourful and sustainable display all year round, reducing planting and water waste.

The Worthing Borough Council will be making the transition to a sustainable planting scheme, moving away from solely traditional seasonal bedding.

Instead opting for a more balanced mix of permanent planting, supported by seasonal bedding.

The transition will help lower waste by removing the need to seasonally replace plants, and will help save on water resources and costs due to the new, hardier species selected.

The flowerbeds in the town centre will include nandina domestica, and heuchera, while daisies, sea thrift and red valerian will feature along the seafront.

“The design of Worthing’s traditional floral displays must adapt to the changing climate. The water-dependent plant varieties of the past required lots of attention and resources only to be composted at the end of each season,” says councillor Vicki Wells, Worthing’s cabinet member for the environment.

“The recent State of Nature report shockingly highlights the UK as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. We must do everything we can to support pollinators and enhance biodiversity.”

The transition forms part of the council’s ambition to become greener and more sustainable.