A COMMUNITY is in full bloom after a donation from a company working on the A1 upgrade.

Carillion has donated a range of flower beds and benches to Exelby, Leeming and Newton Parish Council.

The donation is a goodwill gesture on behalf of the contractor, following disruption caused by work to upgrade the A1 to motorway standard between Dishforth and Barton.

Leeming, which is at the halfway point of the works, is the location for a site office and has been a focal point of the works, with hundreds of lorries passing through the village.

The flower beds have been installed in Leeming, Londonderry and Exelby, along with a range of planters, which have been sponsored by local businesses and residents.

Parish council chairman Coun John Kettlewell praised Carillion for its links with the community.

He said: "We are in touch with the contractors regularly, they come along to parish council meetings and keep us in touch with what is going on with the A1 works.

"If any members of the public comes to the parish council with any concerns, I can always get in touch with the contractors on their behalf."