A FLOWER festival which defied last year's petrol crisis by attracting more than 30,000 people is set for another bumper attendance.

Advance ticket sales for Harrogate's Autumn Flower Show, which runs from Friday until Sunday, are up by 22 per cent.

Show director Roger Brownbridge said the figures had given the event, staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground, a big boost before the gates were opened.

Last year, officials expected attendances would be badly hit at the height of the fuel crisis.

But the Dunkirk Spirit ensured a bigger-than-expected turn-out.

Sam Cryer, chairman of organiser North of England Horticultural Society, said people had shown resolve and determination to get there.

"When many exhibitors left home, they only had enough fuel to reach Harrogate. They put faith in the strike ending or managing to find some fuel," he said.

This year, foot-and-foot disease has posed a problem, but support for the flower show has exceeded all expectations and a bigger attendance than last year is expected.

The show has developed into the largest of its type in Europe, playing host to 13 national amateur society shows.

The show runs from 9.30am to 5.30pm each day.