FOUR Narberth buildings are to be illuminated in purple next week to mark World Polio Day.

The town's Queens Hall, Andrew Rees Butchers, the Dragon Inn and the Plas Hotel have all agreed to make the temporary change to their lighting scheme to highlight the day and the End Polio Now campaign.

The lights will be switched on in the week beginning next Monday.

The Dragon will also be featuring purple crocus table decorations in its restaurant during the week.

The End Polio Now campaign is driven forward by Rotary International and its partners world-wide, and since 1979, has reduced polio cases by 99.9 per cent.

Said Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club president, Tony Ensom: "Globally, Rotarians have helped immunise more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries against polio."

The significance of the colour purple is that when each child is given the vaccine in third world countries, they place their index finger in a pad of purple dye to show that they have been immunised.

The purple theme is also featured through millions of purple crocuses planted on World Polio Days over the years by Rotary clubs and their supporters.

Last year in Narberth, purple crocuses were planted by Narberth CP School pupils in the Charles Salmon Memorial Garden below the town hall, and on the grass verge fronting the school car park.

This year, the school is planning a purple 'own clothes' day in aid of the End Polio charity.