Oldest flower show expects bumper crowds

The world's longest running flower show opens on Friday with organisers expecting a bumper year.

More than a hundred thousand people are expected at the Shrewsbury Flower Festival over the course of the two day event at the town's historic Quarry Park.

The festival started in 1875 and is now listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest running show of its kind in the world.

Record numbers of exhibitors and traders have taken stands at the show in the town's Quarry Park.

A big entry is expected in the Severn and Dingle marquees for the cottage garden and allotment competitions.

Tickets went on sale two months earlier than usual to meet public demand.

A spokesman for the organisers, the Shropshire Horticultural Society, said they were overwhelmed by the amount of entries and interest in this year's event.