THOUSANDS of purple crocuses have begun blooming at schools and other locations throughout Ealing in a Rotary Club campaign to raise funds and awareness about polio.

Plants were donated to five primaries, Ealing Hospital and Pitshanger Park last year in part of a drive to combat the virus which can cause deformity, paralysis and even death.

Thanks to inoculation it was been wiped out in the west towards the end of the last century. But more needs to be done to prevent the suffering caused by it in the third world.

The thousand bulbs at each location in Ealing are now producing purple plants which is the colour of the dye children dip their fingers into to show they have been immunised.

Last year Ealing Rotary Club raised about £1,200 towards Rotary International's fundraising efforts to match the $200 million pledged by Microsoft founder Bill Gates to fight the virus.

Alan Gillett, member and former president of Ealing Rotary Club, said Rotary International are now well over half-way to reaching their target.

He added: “We're trying to limit this horrible disease. Children are the ones it really impacts as once they get it it stays with them for the rest of their lives. I think it really rang a bell with the children taking part.”