A RIOT of colour and entertainment is promised when the biggest flower show of its kind in the North-East opens today.

Organisers of the Gateshead Summer Flower Show are hoping for another record attendance.

Now in its 14th year, the three-day show, sponsored by Gateshead Shopping Centre and Indoor Market, will open at 10am today.

The show is bursting with floral displays, children's entertainment, a huge craft fair plus speciality foods - all under 240,000sq ft of marquee.

Visitors will be able to find everything for the garden and more, including demonstrations of floral art, advice on the summer care of household plants, and question and answer sessions with the Phostrogen Gardening Roadshow.

The show, organised by Gateshead Council, is supported by national and regional horticultural societies, including the National Vegetable Society and the North of England Rose, Carnation and Sweet Pea Society.

It also attracts more than 500 amateur exhibitors from throughout the region and as far afield as Rugby, in Warwickshire.

They compete in more than 300 classes to win nationally recognised trophies.

Other attractions include Gateshead Council's award-winning Chelsea Flower Show display, consisting of more than 50,000 plants used to depict the past, present and future of the borough.

Musical entertainment during the three days will be provided by Felling Brass Band, Los Que la Dos and the Swing Bridge Jazz Band.

Admission is £7 for adults and £5 for the over-60s and Gateshead Leisure Card holders. All children under 18 get free entry when accompanied by an adult.

A free park and ride will run every 15 minutes throughout the weekend from the MetroCentre Coach Park to the show site, at Central Nursery, Whickham Highway, Lobley, Hill. Parking is signposted from the A1.