An investment banker from Devon has donated his entire £2.3million fortune to the town of Sidmouth, with only one stipulation - plant a million flower bulbs and keep the town "beautiful".
Keith Owen was an investment banker and was born in the nearby town of Totnes, but moved to Canada in 1976 to start his career. He returned regularly to Sidmouth to visit his mother, who lived in the area. The divorced banker had no children or immediate family and left his financial gift to be spent around the Devonshire seaside resort, which attracts around 100,000 tourists a year.

The town's people are now honouring Mr Owen's wishes by buying 153,000 flowers and planning to gather and plant them around the town in October. Hundreds of local people are involved, all donating their time and effort for the cause.

Sidmouth Garden Centre is providing the stock for the project. Owner, Ian Barlow, told diyweek.net, "Most days are pretty run-of-the-mill, then someone comes along and asks if we can supply a million plant bulbs! It's certainly the biggest order of bulbs we've ever had."

"We're also assisting in the logistics of the project," he added. "We're supplying equipment, running open evenings for everyone that's involved and holding workshops on how to properly plant bulbs and use the tools. We're lending staff to help, free of charge, as well."

After being diagnosed with cancer, Mr Owen died in 2007 and the Sid Vale Association, alongside the Keith Owen Fund, can only spend the interest of the original cash gift. Around £400,000 has already been spent on various youth schemes and a new scout hut.