Hanging basket maestro Mo calls time on his days in bloom

Mo Hsitou retired earlier this month from his work with the Town Force team.

His role for the past eight years has been to ensure the hanging baskets, planters and flowerbeds along the pavements, promenade and roadsides around the town look good.

He has ordered and planted nearly 8,000 plants each summer and winter.

His work has played a large part in the town excelling in a couple of Britain in Bloom entries as well as doing well each year in South and South East in Bloom.

Mo said: "It's the summer displays which are really important because those are the ones which are judged in the in bloom competitions and which most of the visitors see."

The summer planting usually consists of geraniums, begonias and marigolds. In winter, the choice is pansies, polyanthus and primroses.

"I can't beat working with plants and working outside in the fresh air has to be better than being in an office," said Mo.

"It's very satisfying to see the plants grow and it's nice when people stop and talk about how nice they look. That gives me extra satisfaction."

Mo, who was 65 on September 16, has been involved with planting and growing all his life.

He was born and grew up in Morocco where his parents farmed.