THOUSANDS of keen gardeners flocked to Bath over the bank holiday weekend to visit the annual Bath Spring Flower Show held at Royal Victoria Park.

An estimated 25,000 people turned up at the show on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to buy, browse and swap tips with some of the finest horticulturists in the West.

As well as the hundreds of thousands of flowers on display in the massive floral marquees there were lectures and demonstrations, an exhibition on the art of bee-keeping, a photography competition and a special question time for those with gardening queries.

The show was once again a big pull for enthusiasts from all over the UK, making it one of the biggest events taking place in the West Country over the bank holiday weekend.

Organisers said the huge numbers were in anticipation of another glorious summer, but also due to a surge in the numbers of people interested in getting their fingers green.

Flower show secretary Sarah Giovannini said: "Gardening is more popular than ever. There are so many gardening shows on television that I think more and more people are getting involved. This was a perfect place for them to start."

This was the 16th year that the show had taken place in Bath. It was originally held to celebrate the centenary of the nearby Botanical Gardens in 1987.

Ms Giovannini said: "We always get a very good crowd here. Bath is highly thought of not just for the exhibitors that come here but also because of the glorious surroundings of Royal Victoria Park and the nearby Botanical Gardens."

It was not just garden produce that drew in the crowds. British Food and Farming had a marquee where visitors could buy first-class British farm produce and in the Women's Institutes and Townswomen's Guilds marquee, home-baked cakes and preserves were available .

A topical display at the show was a giant floral crown, which measured 19ft by 15ft, commemorating the Queen's golden jubilee celebrations.

The crown, which will be moved to another location in the city for the rest of the summer, weighs a massive three tonnes and needed a crane to lift it into position at the show.

It was planted with more than 20,000 plants that included a colour combination of Bath red, Torbay rose and broad-leaf green.

Ms Giovannini said: "It was a spectacular day. We welcomed a variety of people from experienced gardeners to those who are looking to do up their garden now spring is here."