Mini filled with flowers for 60th Britain in Bloom

A Mini Cooper cabriolet has been filled with flowers to mark 60 years of Britain in Bloom

A convertible car was filled with flowers as part of celebrations to mark 60 years of RHS Britain in Bloom.

Filby in Bloom said a 1960s theme was chosen for this year's floral displays, harking back to the decade the competition began.

Filby, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, has been participating for almost 30 years. The village was not nominated in the national event this year but has won the Gold Award in 2002 and 2017.

Adrian Thompson, chairman of Filby in Bloom, said: "We do things a little bit different in Filby and there's been shock that someone's left a car there. But on closer inspection you can see it's one of our displays this year.

Filby in Bloom chairman Adrian Thompson says the committee liked to be inventive with themes

"It's the 60th anniversary of Britain in Bloom so the Mini was an icon in the 60s.

"We had the idea, got the Mini, stripped it all out, filled it with flowers and got the number plate written out Britain in Bloom 60.

"Some finishing touches will happen this week with transfer [images of] flowers and a CND badge just to make it look a real hippie car."

A boat, filled with flowers, has been named Flower Power, to mark the 1960s

Mr Thompson said the committee of volunteers discuss various ideas through the winter and developed those which they think they could work.

He said one committee member had also re-worked the lyrics to the song San Francisco, which would be performed by local children.

He added: "One of our lads has written a song which we have got Filby School recording, to the tune of If 'You're Going to San Francisco, Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair', with special Filby lyrics.

"To stand out you have to have something a little bit different, and this is different.

"It isn't all about prizes; it's about the community and if we get a prize, all well and good. But of course, we go in it to win it."

The village has held the Best Village in East Anglia title since 1999, except in 2009 and 2010.