THE street furniture in Bournemouth Gardens is being given a spruce up as part of the town’s preparations for summer.

Maintenance workers are now painting railings, lampposts, CCTV columns, bins, seating and signage in Bournemouth’s Lower, Central and Upper Gardens, as well as replacing the metal railings surrounding the Paradise area in the Central gardens.

Amongst those undertaking the work alongside Bournemouth Council’s maintenance team are Bournemouth and Poole College painting and decorating apprenticeship students, young people put forward by BCHA and mature residents looking to get back into employment.

Cllr Robert Lawton, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “I am really pleased that this project will provide a wide range of local people, including young apprentices and mature residents, the opportunity to work alongside our experienced maintenance team to carry out the work.”

He added: “Bournemouth’s Gardens attracts more than two million visitors a year and has held a Green Flag award for the last 14 years, so it’s important that the gardens look their best.

“Bournemouth has also been shortlisted as a finalist for this year’s Britain in Bloom competition and so it is timely that this maintenance work is carried out.”

The town is one of six finalists in the coastal category for towns with a population of more than 12,000 people, in the Britain in Bloom 2013 competition.

Bournemouth will be marked on its commitment to environmental responsibility, horticultural achievement and community participation.

The maintenance work will also complement the new kiosks and food terrace being created in the Lower Gardens ready for the summer season.

Luke Rattue, 21, a former Bournemouth Council apprentice, will be one of the people teaching the painting and decorating skills to the others.

He said: “I trained up as an apprentice for around three years, before I got my job and now it’s great to be helping others, such as those from BCHA, and showing them the ropes.”

Chloe Flexman, 18, who was referred to the job by BCHA, said: “I have always wanted to do painting and decorating. It is like my dream job, so I am really pleased to be involved.”

Jay Duddington, 48, was also referred through BCHA, said: “I’ve just completed my City & Guilds course in painting and decorating and have been out of work for a few months, so I am ecstatic about this and the fact that I am going to work in Bournemouth Gardens.”