QUESTIONS have been raised about the future of a nursery which supplies more than 200,000 plants to East Lothian Council.

The council’s plant nursery, based in Prestonpans, supplies the local authority with seasonal bedding plants for its public parks and event decorations.

However, with the local authority facing substantial budget cuts, the nursery’s future is uncertain.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of the local authority, painted a bleak picture as he discussed the financial pressures facing councillors ahead of setting a budget in the New Year.

He stressed to Dunbar’s community council that “no decision” had been made on the future of the nursery.

He said: “I cannot give any guarantees.

“It is an option that has been there to make savings but the plant nursery does excellent work right across the county in every community. It is something our communities want us to protect.

“We will do what we can – I cannot give any guarantees – but we will do what we can to keep it going.

“It is a valuable asset and hopefully we will not see the nursery go.”

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The nursery, at Harlawhill, has two members of staff working in the polytunnels and greenhouses.

It generates income by selling plants and services to local communities at “an attractive price” as a way of supporting communities while producing an income.

The nursery also works alongside voluntary In Bloom groups, which have gone on to scoop awards at a national level.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: “They now supply 20 community and other groups within East Lothian, as well as Midlothian Council, NHS Lothian and Penicuik Community Council.

“The nursery supplies 215,000 plants for East Lothian Council and 23 external groups.

“They plant out over 500 hanging baskets, 54 three-tier planters, 82 barrier planters, eight basket tree planters, 52 promenade planters and 50 window boxes.”