A FESTIVAL at Arley has showcased the best of gardening and baking in a two-day extravaganza this weekend.

Plantsmen from across the north west created floral displays alongside schoolchildren in the flowerbed challenge.

Visitors also enjoyed baking provided by Leeds College whose students and tutors produced cakes and demonstrated their talents in a series of cooking displays.

“It certainly felt like everyone had a great day and the feedback we’ve had has been fantastic,” said event organiser Helen Begent. “We’ve been running this event for 22 years now and it is still as popular as ever.”

Among those taking part in the flowerbed challenge was The Grange Junior School who turned their Victorian classroom project into a garden.

Despite battling against garden pests, the school’s flowerbed- which was also a commemoration of the Queen’s 90th birthday, was branded a success.

“We defeated rabbits, slugs and snails to get the garden here,” said teaching assistant Nicola Jones.

“The children have absolutely loved taking part and to see their enthusiasm has been great.”

Judges spent 30 minutes talking with children from all the schools about their gardens. They wanted to know what inspired them, how they grew the plants and what they learnt along the way.

Children from The Russett School in Weaverham created a World War Two-inspired garden complete with unexploded bomb and fighter plane.

Gardening enthusiasts from nurseries across the region created displays to impress judges and visitors alike in the floral marquee.

Gardening remained the main focus of the festival with hundreds of people taking the opportunity to buy plants from high quality nurseries.

There was also a celebration of the countryside with various organisations and charities spreading their messages about the need to do more for wildlife.

Among them was Jayne Rigby from the RSPB who was telling visitors how to create the perfect environment for nature in their gardens.

“We want people to give nature a home,” she said. “We are encouraging everyone to do small things that don’t cost a lot but can make a big difference.”