THOUSANDS OF people braved the rain to pack through the gates of the 123rd Shrewsbury Flower Show today.

The two-day floral extravaganza kicked off at 10am to the general public but members of organisers the Shropshire Horticultural Society were given an early glimpse at nearly three million colourful blooms on show at the Quarry showground from 9am.

Organisers predict about 60,000 visitors in total will attend the showpiece event today and tomorrow.

And they remained upbeat that the weather would be generally kind to the show. Society secretary Peter Road-Night said he was “optimistic”.

He said: “I think it’s going very well. There’s the odd rain but looking down the main avenue it looks as full as it ever looks on a Friday morning so it clearly hasn’t adversely affected us.”

Lieutenant Colonel Mike Carver, chairman of the society, added: “My long-term aim is that when people leave the show tonight they will have a smile on their faces and will have made a mental note to come back and have some more next year.”

In addition to the millions of blooms lovingly grown by professional and amateur gardeners, this year’s show also features a packed programme of arena events.

Among the highlights were expected to be appearances by celebrity chefs The Hairy Bikers, and TV gardening personality Chris Beardshaw, and an arena performance by the Household Cavalry.

Jo Dobson, from Baschurch, said she was delighted to be with her grandchildren, Maddie Jones, 10 and Sam Craig, four, to celebrate the day out.

She said: “We have come prepared with our picnic and we are looking forward to the horse riding events and the food demonstrations with the Hairy Bickers.”

Cathy Evans, from the Shropshire borders, arrived with buckets in hand to raise money for the Country Trust. She said: “I have been coming here for the last 20 years and I hoping to raise lots of money for charity.”

By John Kirk and Sam Pinnington