A STUNNING wildflower display in Musselburgh got the seal of approval from one of the country’s top wildlife experts.

TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham praised the colourful planting surrounding the town’s iconic golf ball sculpture at the Levenhall roundabout, which contains a mix of Scottish wildflowers.

Species include yarrow, cornflower, wild carrot, viper’s bugloss, corn marigold, hawkbit, ox-eye daisy, corn poppy, cowslip, primrose, meadow buttercup, yellow rattle, hedge woundwort, devil’s-bit scabious and dandelion.

Referring to a video of the display on social media, Mr Packham, the co-presenter of the BBC’s nature programmes Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, tweeted: “Every council across the UK should aspire to this – it’s beautiful and productive and what people want from a new normal for wildlife and the environment. Top work Musselburgh!”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “In recent years, East Lothian Council has created and managed a number of wildflower sites across the county to increase biodiversity within towns and villages.

“The wildflowers currently visible at the roundabout on Haddington Road, Musselburgh, have self-seeded from previous years’ sowing and have been appreciated for their colourful display by both local residents and visitors.

“Some of the wildflower sites in East Lothian form part of the John Muir Pollinator Way, which aims to create habitat for pollinators along the entire 134-mile route of the John Muir Way.

“This initiative, developed by Buglife UK, identifies where wildflower forage and nesting habitats for pollinators and other wildlife can be created, enhanced and managed along the John Muir Way, including on school grounds, golf courses, cemeteries and public parks, and included wildflower sowing at Prestongrange Museum last year.”

Irene Tait, chairperson of Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council, said: “It is stunning and has really taken off this year. Anything which involves wildflowers is gorgeous.”

The golf ball-shaped sphere, made of hundreds of horse shoes, is one of two sporting sculptures commissioned by the community council for the town’s gateways, depicting the town’s golf and horse racing heritage. Sculptor Ronnie Elliot designed the golf ball, while artist Kenny Munro created a steel sculpture of three race horses at Newhailes.