SAINTS legend joined more than 30 schoolchildren to plant thousands of flowers.

Saints superstar Matt Le Tissier joined Test Valley borough councillor Celia Dowden, Hampshire county councillor Alan Dowden and schoolchildren from North Baddesley Infant and Junior schools to plant 4,000 daffodil bulbs alongside the A27 Botley Road to put a sparkle of colour on the site.

Hampshire county councillor Alan Dowden, who has organised the event for the last 18 years works with the schoolchildren to encourage them to look after their local environment around North Baddesley and Valley Park by planting flower bulbs and other greenery.

Alongside this, the project also aims to curb anti-social behaviour which was once a prominent issue in the area.

Councillor Dowden added: “We are doing a lot of work with the young people and by doing this it helps the schools to get out in the local community and show what they can do.”

Councillor Celia Dowden, who represents North Baddesley on Test Valley Borough Council added: “We feel that by introducing a local celebrity it helps to bring the communities attention to what they are doing.

“It’s also about improving the local environment for businesses and residents.”

This year’s event was sponsored by Barratt and David Wilson homes who purchased the bulbs and Veolia who supplied the compost after they were approached to help the local community.

Matt who lives in the village said: “I think it’s fabulous for the local community and that the kids have got involved doing the bulb planting, come the spring the road will look lovely.”

Briony Williams, a business development executive from Veolia added: “It is a nice location with lots of bulbs, the children were very happy.”

The event will be the second time this year that Councillor Dowden has hosted this kind of event after former Saints Manager Lawrie McMenemy joined children from St Francis and Knightwood schools in neighbouring Valley Park to plant fresh hanging baskets and floral displays along Knightswood Road.

Further environmental improvement projects are also in the pipeline in the village which includes a makeover of Fleming avenue precinct later this year.