Oldham Council have responded to residents' concerns after flower pots remained empty for months.

The council have said they will now take action after residents raised their upset at the issue.

The Oldham Times spoke with one resident, Amanda Shaw, who was upset after she had been looking forward to seeing the summer displays, which had not materialised.

She said: "I just feel so disappointed. 

"I've lived in Shaw for most of my life, but moved away to Cornwall in 2000 for 16 years and always said if I ever come back to the North West it would always only be Shaw because it's my home town.

"When I came back though, I couldn't believe how much Shaw had changed.

"It just seems like a load of takeaways now and so I'm just disappointed and then thought 'Don't tell me the flowers are going now as well'."

However, Oldham Council have now issued a response to the issue, stating they will take action to rectify the problem after hearing the concerns.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Council teams will tidy the planters up over the coming week and then they will be handed over to the Town Council who will maintain them."

The Shaw and Crompton Town Council also issued a response, saying they had been 'working hard' to resolve the issue. 

In a statement posted to a community social media page, the council said: "We have now obtained assurances from OMBC this will be rectified in the next week.

"After which we have asked the council to transfer the barrier planters to the Town Council, where we will seek to establish a community-based project funded by the Town Council and local sponsorship."

They requested people do not partake in a previously planned community planting day, which was being organised by residents themselves as a way to take the matter into their own hands.

They said this was due to health and safety concerns and the need for forward seasonal planning.