ONE of the region's top flower shows took place during the Bank Holiday weekend, with visitors experiencing mixed fortunes in terms of the weather.

After sunshine prevailed over the Raby Castle Orchid Show on Saturday and Sunday, there was a more cloudy outlook yesterday.

Hundreds of people attended the event, which was first held in the castle grounds at Staindrop, County Durham, in 1999, but was cancelled last year because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Among the exhibitors this year was Jack Wubben, one of Europe's top orchid growers, who brought with him 75 varieties of the flower.

It was Mr Wubben's only exhibition in the North of England this year.