NEW efforts are being made to recruit gardening volunteers to make Colchester a happier place to live. 

Colchester in Bloom chairman Pam Schomberg and Skinny Jean Gardener Lee Connelly spoke about the importance of volunteers during the Gazette podcast - Colchester Chat. 

They said it has been hard recruiting people for Colchester in Bloom, as they do not feel appreciated. 

Pam said: "We have about 10 volunteers, nobody in our team is paid but we do quite a big job for the town." 

TV gardener Lee Connelly, from Colchester, said: "I just don't think people know Colchester in Bloom do this, they assume the council looks after the plants. 

"I think people need to know it's the volunteers that take their time and effort to do this."

Listen to the 30-minute podcast hosted by reporter Katherine Palmer.