TWO community organisations have struck a deal in Ringwood to help each other out.

The 2nd Ringwood Brownies needed help to raise funds to complete a disabled toilet at their Choughs Road premises in the town, while the Rotary Club of Ringwood wanted to plant 5,000 purple crocus bulbs to celebrate reaching the final stages of their Polio Plus campaign.

The campaign has seen Rotary clubs throughout the world practically eliminate Polio around the world by arranging mass immunisation of children - purple is the chosen colour because children and babies had their fingers dipped in purple dye to show that they had been treated.

When Sara Watt, leader of the 2nd Ringwood Brownies approached Ringwood Rotary for help, a deal was struck.

"You help us with the planting of the bulbs," said Rotarian Alan Hollands told her, "and we will help you fund your new toilet".

Plantings have taken place at the Memorial Garden, Jubilee Gardens and the Danny Cracknell Memorial Garden.

Sara said: "The girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience getting quite muddy in the process."

When the purple flowers emerge next spring it will serve as a thank you to everyone who supported the campaign to eliminate Polio.

In 1985 there were 1000 cases each day in 125 countries in the world and so far this year there have only been 52 cases in two countries.