WHEN the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive decided to display artificial flowers at their 15 Underground stations in Glasgow, it was probably a matter of little consequence to most commuters.

But nine Green Party candidates who were standing in the district elections in the city launched a successful protest.

They contacted SPTE, urging them to throw out the plastic plants and replace them with the real thing.

The SPTE pondered the question then declared that real flowers, not plastic ones, would henceforth go on show at three stations - Kelvinbridge, Shields Road and Cessnock.

Scottish Green Party press officer David Spaven welcomed the move. “Several weeks ago, he told the Evening Times on April 21, “artificial flowers suddenly appeared on the Underground system. Local Greens led the protests.

“Putting real plants into these stations is symbolic of the need to have a genuine concern for the natural environment instead of the tendency to produce imitation or fake goods in our throwaway consumer society.

“It’s also,” he added, “a basic aspects of Green philosophy to encourage local initiative.”

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Two candidates Kay Allan and Terry Kain (pictured) took real flowers to one of the three stations to celebrate.

The Greens said the decision - made, after all, during the Garden Festival - was a victory.

The SPTE had taken the view that to present a bright and cheerful image throughout the festival, and minimise the risk of vandalism, it was better to use plastic flowers. Commuters had had a ‘favourable attitude’ towards them and many ‘did not realise they were artificial’.