HANGING baskets in Royston will this year cost £8,000. The go-ahead to spend the money came from members of North Herts District Council s Royston area committee. But Cllr Tony Hunter said it was a great deal of money . He pointed out, however, that the

HANGING baskets in Royston will this year cost £8,000.

The go-ahead to spend the money came from members of North Herts District Council's Royston area committee.

But Cllr Tony Hunter said it was "a great deal of money".

He pointed out, however, that the cost was mostly towards the maintenance of the hanging baskets which are erected in the High Street and other prominent locations.

The displays are seen, too, as part of Royston's bid in the Anglia in Bloom competition.

Cllr Robert Inwood said: "It seems a lot of money when we are having to make other cut-backs.

But committee chairman Cllr Fiona Hill said he could not support "taking something away from the town".