A NEW scheme to beautify city centre businesses has been launched to make York residents proud of their surroundings.

York Business Pride has ploughed £5,000 into subsidising a hanging basket initiative, which will help the city's York In Bloom efforts.

One hundred baskets, filled with mixed flowers , will be available for £45 each plus VAT. They will be regularly fed, watered and cared for during the three-month period they are hanging outside the businesses.

Diana Golding, Coppergate Centre manager and chair of York Business Pride's York In Bloom sub-committee, said 50 baskets had already been sold.

She said: "It's ideal for the average shop keeper or shop assistant who doesn't have time to worry about watering and looking after a hanging basket.

"They will be watered either late at night or early in the morning to avoid any inconvenience, so customers won't have water dripping on their head.

"All you need is a hook outside the building to hang them on and leave the rest to us."

If the scheme is successful, it may be repeated next year to help with York's entry with Britain in Bloom.

Orders are being taken for the hanging baskets now.

The Lord Mayor of York, Coun Charles Hall, said he was keen to see York entered in Britain in Bloom.

He said: "York actually won a category years ago. I'm behind the scheme 100 per cent. If estate agents, solicitors and all the businesses can buy the baskets then hopefully people will come to York to see the masses of flowers we do have and bring in a bit of business for the shops as well."

Updated: 08:54 Thursday, April 15, 2004