Thousands head to West's biggest flower show

The show has been running since the 1800s

Thousands of people are expected to head to the country's longest-running flower show today.

Taunton Flower Show, known as Chelsea of the West, was first held in 1831. The 147th edition of the event returned to Vivary Park on Friday.

Alongside elaborate flower displays there will be also horse and dog shows, as well as BMX displays.

Claire Greenslade, former Hestercombe gardener, said: "It's the Chelsea of the South West, I like to think. It's a great place to shop for plants you don't normally see."

Taunton Flower Show is known as the Chelsea of the West

Ms Greenslade added: "Sometimes, there are people I live near in Taunton but would only bump in to here.

"The most wonderful thing about gardening is every day is a school day. There's so many things like climate change that change how we garden," she added.

People's flower displays were judged in a competition

Show manager Beccy Fox said the reason the show has lasted for so long is all down to the volunteers.

"We have over 400 volunteers on site making this happen and that's from people who do it all year round to people who come along on the day," Ms Fox said.

"It's a testament to volunteering and community power.

"There's so much to do and so much horticultural knowledge. If you're looking for advice on your plants, our traders will have your back."

One of the gardens on display is the St Margeret's Hospice show garden

One of the gardens on show is the St Margaret's show garden, which was built to mark 45 years of the Somerset-based hospice.

"Feeling secure, feeling comfortable, feeling like the garden is enclosed, feeling nestled were the words we used," Caroline Slocombe, gardener at the hospice, said.

"I'd like to get a gold medal, I'd like to win people's choice - we'll see."

The show will close at 17:00 on Saturday.

The show has been able to run since 1831 because of the volunteers, Beccy Fox said