A GARDENING show which was axed in its 30th year has been saved.

Organiser Durham City Council decided to drop the city's annual autumn horticultural show, also known as the garden produce show, because of falling entries, rising costs and access problems to city centre venues.

But Peter Thompson, a Labour Durham county councillor for Gilesgate and a keen gardener, has co-ordinated efforts to keep the event alive and a new organising committee has been formed.

He said the event would go ahead at a new venue, the Durham Room at County Hall, on September 10, 11 and 12.

Coun Thompson said: "You can say now that the show has been saved.

"We hope to have the preliminary show schedule out next week and letters are going out to people who donated cups and trophies for the old show to ask if they would allow them to be competed for again this year."

He said county councillors had agreed to provide some funds towards the cost of the event.

Coun Thompson said: "We are hoping it will have a wider scope than before. There will be exhibitions and other things we can promote here that weren't previously part of the show.''

The next committee meeting is on Monday next week in Committee Room 1B at County Hall, starting at 6.30pm.

Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

Coun Thompson can be called on 07798 816737.