Life may seem somewhat gloomy at the moment as the economic recession tightens its grip. But by mid-summer a tide of gold should be spreading over part of south Norfolk thanks to members of the Anglian Church, who have hit on a fun way make the world a brighter place while showing others that they care.

Life may seem somewhat gloomy at the moment as the economic recession tightens its grip.

But by mid-summer a tide of gold should be spreading over part of south Norfolk thanks to members of the Anglian Church, who have hit on a fun way make the world a brighter place while showing others that they care.

The initiative comes from the Redenhall Deanery which is bringing sunshine into people's lives by encouraging them to grow tens of thousands of free sunflower seeds. These are being distributed to households in Diss and Harleston, and neighbouring villages by enthusiastic teams of volunteers from parish churches in the deanery.

It is a mammoth task as there are almost 12,000 homes on the list and 6.5 kilos of sunflower seeds have to be shared out by hand.

They are popped into individual packets, each stapled to an explanatory leaflet which includes growing instructions from nationally known organic gardener Bob Flowerdew, who lives in Dickleburgh.

The deanery covers a 40-mile area and it is hoped to deliver packets to most homes by Easter.

Jennie Vere, who is co-ordinating the scheme, said: 'We were challenged two years ago by the diocese to take on board a committment to growth mission, reaching out to everyone we possibly can, and this is our deanery's response. We were the first to come up with a project like this to bring a bit of colour and happiness into people's lives.

'We want to make contact with those who live in this area and let them know we care.'

She explained that each parish is thinking up different sunflower-themed activities to involve their local community.

'In Diss, children at the junior and infants school are going to have a competition. It won't be for the tallest sunflower as we haven't gone for that sort of seeds as it's a bit windy around here, so it could be making a sunflower face or taking photographs. And we have just heard that Brockdish is having a village competition.'

The project has been awarded �1,000 from the diocese's Committed to Growth Mission Fund, with the parish churches providing �500 towards the costs.

Meanwhile, colourful posters are being put up in local libraries, pubs and shops to advertise the Bringing Sunshine to Redenhall Deanery scheme. It is also planned to send an equivalent amount of seeds to a schools project in Peru.

For more details contact Jennie Vere on 01379 687679, or visit the website http://redenhalldeanery.org