SHOPPERS are being asked to donate pennies for petals to ensure Halesowen blossoms in time for next year’s Britain in Bloom contest.

A special butterfly box has been made by joiners Taylor and Sons, of Vicarage Road, for people to donate their loose change and has been positioned in the Cornbow Shopping Centre.

The idea followed two collections at the centre towards this year’s inaugural entry, which earned the town a prized silver merit.

Halesowen in Bloom chairman Eve O’Connor said she was “very grateful” to Taylor and Sons who had offered to make the box following a Facebook appeal.

Mrs O’Connor, who painted it herself, said it was hoped the donations would pay for the flowers in the town centre as part of the bid to go for gold in 2015.