BUSY park rangers have planted a staggering 200,000 plants as Tendring gears up for the summer season.

Flower beds across the district are a blaze of colour after being transformed in time for the holidays.

It’s taken six weeks to strip out the old plants and replace them with fresh displays.

Tendring Council environment boss Nick Turner said: “Our seafronts and open spaces are such an important part of our attraction package and draw in many visitors each summer,” he said.

“They are also enjoyed by our residents and the locations are full of vibrant colours.”

Mr Turner said the team had done a fantastic job and people were already commenting on the displays.

Most of the planting for summer, which in Harwich has included the Mayor's Garden, Cliff Park, Minesweepers and the seafront, has now been completed.

The plants will remain in the beds until late September when work starts on the spring displays.