BOLTON’S roundabouts will be transformed into picturesque meadows after a scheme to reduce bills for grass-cutting proved popular.

Wild flowers will be planted next to seven major roads and roundabouts and in four parks following the success of the project last year.

Roundabouts and verges included are the Beehive Roundabout, in Horwich, Beaumont Road, Star Island Roundabout in Blackrod, High Street in Little Lever, Church Street in Westhoughton, Unity Brook in Kearsley, and the A6 in Hulton.

Seeds will also be planted in Milnthorpe Park in Breightmet, Sunnyside Park, in Great Lever, Leverhulme Park, in Breightmet, and Haslam Park, in Rumworth.

And due to popular demand people will be able to create wildflower meadows in their gardens, as Bolton Council will be selling the seeds at its garden centre at Heaton Fold, off Chorley New Road. The meadows were introduced last year as part of the council’s cost-cutting measures and tied in with its reduced grass-cutting policy.

Many people reacted angrily after the council revised grass-cutting schedules in 2011 in an attempt to save money and the council was inundated with calls and complaints.

After a review, the council decided to create several wildflower meadows, which require minimal upkeep.

As well as helping to stop the decline in wildflowers, they also help to reverse the decline in bee populations and provide habitat for ladybirds, butterflies, birds and bats.

Packs of Ecopack Seed Shakers cost £2.95 each and contain about 20 varieties of wildflowers, which can cover about 50 square metres.

The council’s meadows are expected to be in full bloom in July and will be left as a food source for birds in the autumn and winter, before being mown when all the food has gone.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington, the council’s executive member for cleaner, greener, safer, said: “The meadows not only provide beautiful and colourful displays of flowers over the summer, but also provide a safe habitat and food source for all kinds of wildlife throughout the entire year.”