PEOPLE in Clackmannan are being encouraged to visit a true hidden gem in the town before the flowers in bloom start to die off.

The Butterfly Community Garden is open to visitors with its impressive floral displays and those heading along could also pick some fruit and vegetables to take home.

Having opened a few years ago, the garden – situated right behind Clackmannan Town Hall – has been transformed into a warm space by keen volunteers.

They are this month hoping to welcome more people while the flowers are still in bloom and budding gardeners could also join the team.

Margaret Schofield, chair of the garden committee, told the Advertiser: "The garden is looking really good with all the rain we've had and all the sun, so now is a good time to come and visit it.

"We've also got quite a few fruit and vegetables which people can pick."

While the garden is looking lovely in bloom, it can be a little difficult to find, explained Margaret.

She said: "It's round the back of the town hall, you've got to look for a gate which says 'Butterfly Garden'.

"It means that it's not crowded, so people can go and be on their own quite happily."

Throughout lockdown, core garden volunteers have managed to stay on top of all the work to keep the garden beautiful – all while social distancing and taking turns to water the plants in the evenings.

And recently, a keen volunteer added a children's seating area made out of trees a resident was disposing of.

There were also plans to hold various events at the garden this season – such as a garden party – but everything was put on hold due to coronavirus.

However, there is still some chance an autumn event could go ahead.

Speaking of the progress since launch, Margaret said: "It's quite a change from the start.

"It is a lot of hard work, but the garden is taking over now, so it's a matter of keeping it in check and doing alterations that we want."

She is encouraging residents in the town to enjoy the garden, relax, reflect or, perhaps, join in with a little weeding.

Anyone keen to volunteer can email butterflygarden_clack@outlook.com or head down at 9.30am on a Thursday morning, weather permitting, to ask in person.