THE 52rd Ilkley Flower Show was in full bloom at the weekend with many visitors and strong competition in many of its classes.

Despite the prolonged cold and wet weather in spring, exhibitors reaped an impressive crop of vegetables and flowers to display alongside cakes, home produce, crafts, photography and artwork.

The show took place in the Winter Gardens, Station Road, on Saturday and it formed part of the many attractions during the month-long Ilkley Summer Festival.

All the usual classes were represented, said organisers, as well as some newer classes. Vegetables of many varieties, vases of dahlias, gladioli, mixed flowers, pot plants of fuchsia, begonia, and giant cactus were on show.

Visitors could also feast their eyes on a display of jams, cakes, biscuits, shortbread, and bakewell tarts, as well as seeing unusual bottles, paintings, floral art creations, photography, knitting, hats, masks, and sugarcraft flowers.

Ilkley Flower Show chairman, Margaret Willson, said: "The judges arrived and were amazed by the standard if all the classes, from giant dahlias to the smallest scone. So many thanks to all who exhibited, I do hope you will be back next year on Saturday, August 12."

Demonstrations of flower arranging and patchwork went on through the afternoon, attracting gatherings of admirers. Ilkley Parish Council chairman Mike Gibbons was given a guided tour of the show by show president Maureen Pollard, before presenting trophies to the award-winning exhibitors.

The Barry Strong Rose Bowl for the most points in the whole show went to Burley resident David Allison, while Margaret Willson herself won the 50th Anniversary Cup for the second highest tally of points in show.

There was a lively auction of goods donated by exhibitors, and buyers went home from the show with floral arrangements, flowers, vegetables, jams and cakes.

They also had the chance to take part in a raffle, have a go at a well-stocked tombola, and enjoy a cup of tea and home-made cake served by members of Ilkley Flower Show Society and friends.

Next year's show will be one week earlier. Entrants to-be are already being encouraged to get their cameras or paintbrushes out and start working towards the themes of next year's photography and painting classes. Next years photograph class themes will be Wooden Bridge or High on the Hill, and the novice section theme will be Favourite Corner.

The painting class theme will be Allotment while the novice painting section theme will be Autumn Approaches.