Sadness as floral tribute to key workers in Wigan community garden comes down

However, with the temporary planning permission period for it over the flowers spelling out a message of love for the health service and other key workers were taken down on Wednesday.

The tribute to Covid-19 front line workers was created at the Wigan Lane site by a team of florists from the borough led by Sarah Crookston, supported by a number of local businesses and constructed with the backing of Wigan Council.

The brightly-coloured message was very popular with residents and cheered up many people who drove or walked past it.

A message on the Friends of the Cherries Community Garden Facebook page said: "It has been a very sad day for the Cherries Community Garden, because the time has come to take down the amazing floral tribute to the NHS and all Key Workers.

"It has done its job though and helped lots of people smile as they passed by it on their way each day.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to the NHS Staff and all Key workers who continue to put themselves on the front line day after day to keep us safe."

Residents wrote on the Facebook page how sad they were the flowers would not be there any more and how they had brightened up the dark days of lockdown and the first wave of Covid-19.