THOUSANDS of visitors enjoyed the first day of the 2003 Harrogate Spring Flower Show.Record numbers of pre-booked tickets plus thousands sold on the door saw more visitors than ever attend the first of four days of the 76th annual event at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Regarded by many as the start of the UK's gardening show season, the show boasts more than 100 of the country's leading horticultural nurseries exhibiting and competing for the prestigious Premier Award for Best In Show.

Gardeners' Question Time fans were yesterday treated to a special recording of the show featuring favourites Eric Robson and Bob Flowerdew.

Other highlights include a bright new floristry section, plus the Wakefield & North of England Tulip Society has joined the Daffodil Society's Northern National Show to produce a show-stopping display.

There is also a landscape and garden design marquee featuring a student garden design competition, plus rural arts and crafts and a range of gardening accessories for sale.

Refreshments are provided by the Yorkshire Pantry and Fine Country Foods, as well as the launch of a fully-licensed restaurant service for the first time this year.

Spokeswoman Mary Bond said: "The response from everyone so far has been excellent, with more tickets pre-booked than ever before and new events and features, so this is a very exciting time."

RESULTS

Best In Show Premier Award: North of England Bonsai, York.

Premier Award: Kettlesing Nurseries, Harrogate.

Silver Gilt Awards

The Ornamental Grass & Plant Nursery, Malton; Oak Tree Nursery, Selby.

Bronze

Gale Lane Nursery, York; Vertigrow, York.

Updated: 09:35 Friday, April 25, 2003