ROTARIANS gathered in Potters Bar on Wednesday to celebrate their work in an international campaign to eradicate polio.

Club president Helga Quickenden was joined by Hertsmere borough councillor John Donne (Conservative, Potters Bar Parkfield) and Hertfordshire county councillor Eddie Roach (Conservative, Potters Bar East).

They were there to see 4,000 purple crocuses which have been planted in flower beds in Darkes Lane by the borough council to support the eradication programme.

Unfortunately the flowers had not yet bloomed but members of the Rotary club used the opportunity to rattle a few tins and collect more money toward the cause.

Potters Bar president Helga Quickenden has however managed to 'force' her crocuses into flower and is proudly displaying them outside her home along with banners and posters.

Rotarian Roger Philpott said: “The event was part of a nationwide Rotary Day where clubs all over Great Britain had similar events to publicise the campaign to eradicate polio from the world.

“To date only three countries still have the disease, India, Nigeria and Afghanistan.”

As an international organisation, Rotary has immunised more than two billion children of the disease.

The Potters Bar will continue their campaign by visiting Pope Paul Catholic Primary School, in Baker Street, on March 4.

The club will thank children for fundraising by holding a 'purple day' at their school.

Mr Philpott added: “The significance of purple is the dye put on the finger of every child that has been immunised. For 20 pence a child's life can be saved.”