Roadside verges have been transformed into a blaze of colour - and a haven for bees and buttterflies.

For the second year in a row, Braddan Commissioners have planted pictorial meadow seed on areas that would usually have been mown grass.

The two areas are at the Isle of Man Business Park, opposite the Horse and Plough, and next to the entrance to Strang Close near the Strang roundabout.

After the success of the planting at Strang Close last year, the Commissioners decided to sow a much larger area of 200sq/m at the Business Park, which has already proved to be stunning.

It’s a stark contrast to some other roadside verges around the island, with the Department of Infrastructure coming under fire for flailing wildflower banks back to the bare earth.

Commissioners’ chairman, Andrew Jessopp, said: ’This is only the second time the authority has planted pictorial meadow seed and we have been delighted with the results and huge amount of positive feedback from members of the public.

’As well as enhancing the immediate area, we hope the floral displays provide a welcome food source for insects and pollinators.

’We intend to look at other suitable areas to develop for next year.’

He added: ’The Commissioners are committed to improving biodiversity within the parish and as part of this have resisted cutting verges and hedges until later in the summer wherever possible.’

Planting was carried out by the authority’s landscaping contractor, D G Wood & Son and the seed was obtained from Pictorial Meadows, a company part-owned by the University of Sheffield, which specialises in the development of wild flowers that thrive in garden soils.