FLOWERS have been ordered on “an act of faith” to save scenic beds in a busy street from council cuts.

Cllr Hugh Cleaver asked Redbridge Council to order flowers for the beds in George Lane, South Woodford, despite not having the cash after its £14,000 budget was slashed.

They have been forced to act as the flowers, which cost £2,000, will take three to four weeks to plant and need to be in place in time for summer to blossom.

Cllr Cleaver and Cllr Richard Hoskins have met supportive residents who want the flowers to remain.

Cllr Hoskins said: “We are ordering them on an act of faith. It’s unlikely the council can pay for them so we’ll have to try to raise the money retrospectively.

“A number of people have said they’d be happy to fund us so it’s encouraging but we need to raise as much as possible.”

Cllr Cleaver has written to 200 local shops and businesses over the weekend in an effort to collect funding and is looking at other methods to raise the cash.

Each shop has been asked to donate as much as they can afford.

“If every shop donated a tenner that would be enough,” said Cllr Hoskins.

In a survey of stores by the Guardian, businesses responded positively to the appeal.

Martin Graham, owner of Treasure Chest on George Lane, said: “They make a great difference to the road, without them it would look a lot less pretty and green.

“I don’t see why we couldn’t give £10 or £20 to keep them.”

Fundraising days may also be held to enable shoppers to contribute.

If you wish to make a donation towards the flower beds then please write a cheque to the George Lane Flower Appeal and send it to Wanstead and Woodford Guardian, 8 Simon Campion Court, High Street, Epping, CM16 4AU.