City's blooming marvellous event

Thousands of green-fingered flower enthusiasts are expected to descend on Belfast for the city's Rose Week.

A feast for at least two of the senses, there will be no fewer than 45,000 blooms on display at Dixon Park in the south of the city.

"This is one of the city's most important events," said its lord mayor, Councillor Tom Hartley.

"I hope everyone will take the opportunity to enjoy it, get some fresh air and have some fun."

However, there is much more to do and see at Lady Dixon Park than just stand back and admire the rows and rows of roses.

Visitors to Belfast's Rose Week can also tackle a climbing wall, try their hand at laser combat games, see Punch and Judy in action or just take things nice and easy.

And there is of course the thorny issue of judging the best roses on show, with officials flying in from California, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland to lend a hand.