Thousands flock to Shrewsbury Flower Show

Delighted Shrewsbury Flower Show organisers today said they expected visitor numbers to smash last year's figures with bright sunshine bringing crowds flocking to the event.

Forecasters expect temperatures to soar as high as 23C (73F) today following a glorious opening day which saw the Quarry bustling with thousands of visitors.

Officials are confident of beating last year's figure of 48,000 people through the gates, with the 125th show likely to top 50,000 as the heatwave continues.

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Peter Road-Night, the secretary of Shropshire Horticultural Society and operations director of the flower show, said yesterday's opening day had been a huge success as fireworks lit up the county sky to draw the first day of entertainment to a close.

He said "logic" told him from advanced ticket sales and crowds on the showground site that last year's showcase would be well beaten.

"The weather is the single most important ingredient because however much we plan it is simply something we cannot control. So the highlight for me was seeing the glorious blue sky and sunshine when I got up this morning," he said.

"I always hate putting a figure on things too early because it always comes back to bite you but based on advanced ticket sales and seeing the huge crowds walking down Quarry Place we are very pleased and are confident of beating last year's figure when the weather wasn't as great.

"The forecast for today is also brilliant so if that holds true we should see bumper crowds as traditionally Saturday is the busier day."

Highlights of the show so far include TV chef James Martin and appearances from celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw.

See more coverage from the Shrewsbury Flower Show in today's Shropshire Star