AN annual flower show is expected to attract 23,000 visitors this weekend.
Gateshead Spring Flower Show is taking place today and tomorrow at Gateshead Nursery, near Whickham.
Attractions include floral displays based on local landmarks such the Baltic, Gateshead Stadium and the newly refurbished Saltwell Towers.
There are thousands of blooms and hundreds of displays on the 300,000sq ft site as well as a craft fair, speciality foods, gardening demonstrations and children's entertainment.
John McElroy, from Gates-head Council, said: "Gateshead Spring Flower Show is getting bigger and better every year, with fantastic local and national displays enabling visitors from the local community and throughout the region to enjoy these spectacular horticultural events."
A programme of free entertainment has been organised for families, with pipe and jazz bands, singers, dancers and street theatre. The River City Jazzmen, of which Sting was once a member, will play a set of ragtime blues and tunes from New Orleans, and will open the show at 10am this morning.
Entry is £6.50 for adults, £4.50 for people over 60 and free for those under 18.
A free park and ride service will operate from Gateshead Civic Centre, in Regent Street, and the MetroCentre coach park every 15 minutes.
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