FLOWER enthusiasts from Swindon and beyond were treated to a carnival of colour.

Swindon Fuchsia Society's annual show had its biggest turnout since its formation in 1985 as hundreds of people marvelled at the range of colour and diversity on display at the Haydon Centre.

Show secretary Peter Boor, 61, of Moresby Close in Westlea, said: "It was like any other flower show, but the only thing we do is the fuchsia.

"The whole point was to bring the beauty of the plants to the public and we had a big turnout."

Fuchsias are perennial shrubs that were first introduced to this country in the 1700s as a single variety.

Today there are some 15,000 different varieties. And more than 100 of the deciduous plants were on show on Saturday.

Mr Boor added: "My introduction to the fuchsia came when I moved into a new house and one of my neighbours decided put a plant into all the other people's houses, I got given a fuchsia. Now I've got hundreds."

The Haydon Centre is playing host to the British Fuchsia Regional Show on Sunday, August 24 from 1.30pm. Call 01793 873426 for details.