Volunteers are needed to pick up their brushes and paint the town as part of a new ground force group.

Sidmouth in Bloom has launched the community project in a bid to spruce up street furniture, bus shelters and bollards.

The group is aiming for another gold in South West in Bloom and to impress judges in the national competition later this year.

Lynette Talbot, chairman of the group, said more manpower was needed for the task to ‘make a difference’ in the town.

She said: “It’s not only the competitions; the council does not have the manpower and time to get all of this work done.

“We feel that people in the town should realise that some work does need help from volunteers.”

With enough interest, the group would like to be able to co-ordinate paint days to focus on areas such as Market Square, Connaught and Blackmore Gardens.

Lynette said: “If we could manage to get a ground force group going, we would really appreciate the extra help to do some street maintenance.

“We need people who do not mind getting their hands dirty and picking up a paint brush.”

Lynette said a similar scheme was set up in Brixham and had grown from five to 40 members.

She added: “They have worked their way around the town.

“We want to follow this and really make a difference. After we start, we would like to continue doing it each year. We want to keep building up on each area.”

East Devon District Council has offered to provide paint for volunteers.

Anyone over the age of 18 who is interested in volunteering for the group can contact Lynette on 01395 578081 or email info@sidmouthinbloom.org