THREE Martlesham schools have entered into the War of the Roses – or rather the hyacinths that is!Children at Gorseland, Birchwood and Beaconhill Schools have been busy planting hundreds of hyacinth bulbs ready to display them at Martlesham's spring show in April.

By Jessica Nicholls

THREE Martlesham schools have entered into the War of the Roses – or rather the hyacinths that is!

Children at Gorseland, Birchwood and Beaconhill Schools have been busy planting hundreds of hyacinth bulbs ready to display them at Martlesham's spring show in April.

More than 200 bulbs have been supplied by the Martlesham Village Produce Association (VPA) and companies within the village in a bid to get youngsters interested in horticulture.

The competition also covers part of the national curriculum subject of growing plants, mainly for seven and eight year olds.

Around 70 youngsters at Gorseland School in Martlesham were busy planting their hyacinths and will then carefully tend to them at home.

On April 6 they then have the chance to take them along to St. Michael's church centre in Martlesham Heath for everyone to see. The show is open to the public between 2pm and 4.30pm.

Noel Wilson, treasurer of the VPA went along to start off the planting at the primary school.

He said: "It is good to get the children to realise that flowers do not just grow on their own, they need help.

"If you get them to participate you also get mums and dads involved as well."

Every child who enters gets a prize and there are also categories for the best individual entries and the best overall school display.

The best school will be given an electric propagator to help them continue to grow more seeds.

Pupils will also get the chance to enter a poster competition depicting the Spring Show.

The entries will then be put up on display at Tesco coffee shop at Martlesham Heath between March 18 and April 1, giving the customers the chance to vote for the best one.