Flowers say 'let battle commence'

Jersey's annual Battle of Flowers begins on Thursday.

Several roads in St Helier are being closed because of the celebrations on Thursday and Friday, which will feature a selection of display floats.

Thursday will see the event's Daytime Parade taking place from 1330 BST to 1700 BST through the town.

The floral extravaganza's finale, the Moonlight Parade, which was first introduced in 1989, will start at 2030 BST on Friday.

Additional parking

Victoria Avenue will be closed from Bel Royal to West Park from 0930 BST until 1900 BST on Thursday.

The Spur Road in First Tower, Farley's Lane, the Rue du Galet, Pierson Road and the Esplanade between St Aubins Inner Road and Gloucester Street will also be closed.

There will be no parking on St Aubins Inner Road from West Park to Bel Royal all day Thursday and Friday. There will also be no parking in Gloucester Street or Westmount Road.

All town car parks are open all day on both days and additional parking will be provided at St Andrew's Park in First Tower.

The battle funfair is being held at People's Park.

The first Battle of Flowers in Jersey took place on 9 August 1902, as a celebration for the coronation of Edward VII.

The battle began as a flower parade, but along the route the flowers were torn off and thrown to the spectators. They threw them back, and the battle was born.