KNUTSFORD businesses are set to welcome visitors to the RHS Show at Tatton Park this week with fabulous floral displays of their own.

The town centre is being decked with a host of imaginative creations made from flowers and shrubs that aim to give visitors to the area a welcome they will never forget.

Some 50 outlets including shops, florists and hairdressers have rallied together to make sure that Knutsford is in full bloom for the perennial garden exhibition at Tatton Park, between July 23 and 27.

The green-fingered initiative is the brainchild of Peter Murray, owner of Pulse of Perfumery who first dressed his shop window with floral displays in 2012 and in the following year brought together 30 traders to form a Retailers Group, who followed suit and created blooming masterpieces reflecting the nature of their business.

The butchers draped their premises with floral sausages and the hairdressers made a pair of scissors out of flowers.

Peter Murray said: “We are delighted that Tatton Park stages the RHS Show every year and are keen to show our support for the annual event by creating floral displays inspired by the goods and services individual businesses offer to local people and visitors.

“Residents now look forward to Knutsford’s celebration of all things floral as much as the RHS Show at Tatton Park and the positive feedback we get from visitors helps to put the town well and truly on the tourist trail.

“Knutsford is embracing the RHS. I’ve seen Mughli and Gusto get their designers in and we’ve had ours planning since February.

“I spent Monday going around the businesses and even the banks are doing something for the RHS this year. That’s a first and is so exciting.”

Among those taking part in the town’s flower-powered campaign are Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop, Toni and Guy, Trinity, and Clare & Illingworth.

Adam Keppel Garner, Knutsford town centre manager, said: “Knutsford is a fantastic place to visit at any time of the year, but with local businesses working together creating the incredible floral displays to coincide with the RHS Show at Tatton Park, the town is especially welcoming.

“It’s a great way to attract visitors attending the event to Knutsford.”

Flowers for the shop window displays are supplied by The Black Rose, Knutsford Bloom and Spring Bank Flowers, who provide stunning floral decorations for a variety of venues across the UK and Europe.

Clr Les Gilbert, Cheshire East Council’s portfolio holder for localism and enforcement, said: “We are delighted with the way that businesses in Knutsford work together to produce floral displays that tie-in with the great garden carnival at nearby Tatton Park.

“The imaginative creations attract and entertain visitors and are always eagerly awaited by local residents every year. We thank everyone who helps to decorate their premises with flowers and congratulate them for their enterprise and effort.”

This year, the town is further strengthening its links with the RHS Show at Tatton Park by providing a team of Knutsford Hosts to attend the event and hand out shopping guides and maps to help promote local businesses and provide opportunities for community volunteers.