A group of young Beaver Scouts rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty for charity in Kings Langley this morning.

The green-fingered members of the Kings Langley Beavers, aged between six and eight, were planting crocus bulbs, in the grounds of All Saints Church, in Church Lane.

The purpose of the project was to raise awareness of a wider initiative, by Rotary International, to eradicate polio around the world.

Martin Horsted, of the Watford and Langleys Rotary Club, explained: “We get children involved across the country. The purple bulbs are planted in association with the same-colour marking children receive when they are innoculated against the disease abroad.

“The charity, End Polio Now, does some great work and we have just four more countries in which to eradicate the disease.”

About ten Beaver Scouts helped plant the bulbs in the Autumn sunshine this morning and leader, Ingrid Allen, said it is a good thing for the patrol to get out in the community.

She said: “It is nice for the Beavers to get out and help with something like this and it gives them an insight into some of the problems people face across the world – they have enjoyed it.”

It took about one hour to plant the bulbs, in the church gardens and seven-year-old Beaver Scout Linsey McLachlan said: “It has been fun because you get to see all of the flowers and do some gardening – hopefully I will do some more at home.”

A larger event is being organised by the rotary club that will involve the whole of Kings Langley Primary School planting bulbs, on October 20.