Volunteers have been hard at work giving Swindon’s historic heart some attention.

Members of Swindon Borough Council’s housing team were joined by volunteers from the Mechanics' Institution Trust, property maintenance company Quicksons and South Swindon Parish Council to weed and replant the brick street planters along Faringdon Road.

The plants were provided by Quicksons, which carry out the maintenance of the Railway Village cottages.

Karen Phimister, the council’s Heritage Action Zone project officer, said: “It might seem that tasks like street planting are not worth doing when we have buildings needing refurbishment and public realm schemes to deliver.

“But these smaller actions are also really important because they start to send a message that the area is being looked after and that change is coming thanks to the Heritage Action Zone and our partnership with Historic England.

“Today’s event would not have been possible without Quicksons’ generous donation. I must say a huge thank you to them.”

Jason Larsen from Quicksons added: “Quicksons were very happy to help out as we appreciate the hard work carried out by members of the local community in the railway village. We look forward to seeing the planters brightening up the streets this summer.”