FROM plants that grew with the dinosaurs to radio favourites, garden lovers were treated to a range of delights at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show, which opened today.

Thousands of visitors were expected to be visiting the Great Yorkshire Showground over the next four days as the 76th show got under way.

Visitors will see everything from 250-million-year-old plants - alive at the time of the dinosaurs - to a recording of BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time.

Top gardening names including Bob Flowerdew and Eric Robson were appearing today to record a programme to be broadcast on Sunday.

They were being greeted by a record number of visitors - about 25,000 - who have taken advantage of the popular pre-booking service, but there will also be plenty of tickets available every day on the gate.

Other highlights included a daffodil and tulip show and an expanded floristry and flower arrangements marquee.

For competition lovers, there were also the highly-regarded contests, with floods of entries from all over the county. So if you have an awkward spot to fill in your garden after that Easter tidy-up, or simply fancy a change, the Harrogate Flower Show has it all.

With blue skies heading their way, staff were confident of a great event.

Spokeswoman Mary Bond said: "We have had a great response from the public so far, and with fine weather it should be a great day out for everyone involved."

Updated: 10:30 Thursday, April 24, 2003