THE first leek show of this year's Darlington gardening calendar brought growers out from their winter hibernation yesterday.

The show, held at the Busters pub, in Yarm Road, attracted ,entries from all over the county with potted leeks the focus of attention.

Leek growing has been seriously affected by recent bad weather, which has put many growers behind with their preparations.

Brian Summers, Darlington Leek Club's press officer, said: "It won't be until around the beginning of May when the leek growers start putting their leeks out in the open. They are then grown during the summer and the first of the main judging shows starts around the beginning of September.