Libraries across the borough will be handing out a free packet of flower seeds with every book to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

Starting from Saturday 6 May, the date of the King and Queen Consort’s Coronation, borrowers will receive a free packet of seeds while stocks last when they take out a book, CD, or DVD at any of the borough’s 13 libraries.

The packet of seeds has been specially put together for the coronation and will produce seven vibrant species of flowers, including a cornflower, a chrysanthemum and pink and yellow cosmos.

The free gift is a tribute to King Charles’s fondness for botany and environmental causes. The new monarch is a keen gardener who grows many rare plants and trees at his Highgrove House residence in Gloucestershire. Stephanie Rhoden, partnership manager for Dudley libraries, said:

"King Charles and Queen Camilla are both avid readers with a real passion for the natural world, so we thought giving out free flower seeds to each borrower at our borough libraries would be the perfect coronation tribute.

"We hope residents will come along to our libraries, take out a book to enjoy over the coronation weekend and plant some flowers to celebrate the occasion."

Coronation crafting sessions will also be on offer at the borough libraries with opportunities to make paper crowns, drink coasters, fridge magnets and more.