A FLOWER boat, vegetarian street food market and miniature magic garden installation are all part of plans for a new floral festival.

The event, Bloom!, will see the city taken over by flowers and plants for four days between July 5 and 8.

Highlights include an urban village green to be built on St Sampson's Square, shop windows filled with colourful floral window displays and a hidden gardens trail which will reveal the secret green spaces among York's historic buildings.

And Coney Street will be transformed into the 'Curious Realm of Floribunda', decorated with plants, flowers and fabric installations.

The festival marks the 250th anniversary of the Ancient Society of York Florists - the oldest organisation of its kind in the world - and is organised by Make It York supported by York BID.

Steve Brown, managing director of Make It York, said: “Inspired by the unique Ancient Society of York Florists, we’re bringing together green-fingered people, creatively-minded individuals and businesses, to create a festival which will celebrate York’s horticultural heritage and the equally vibrant activity taking place within the city today."

Pop up gardens will appear at Exhibition Square and St Helen's Square, while the annual summer flower show of the Ancient Society of York Florists will take place over two days in Parliament Street.

River cruise boat The Captain James Cook will also be decked out in flowers and taking visitors on trips along the River Ouse throughout the festival.

Lotte Inch, who is curating the event, said: “The Ancient Society of York Florists was set up in 1768 as a forum for discussion about not only flowers, but horticulture in general. With the increased popularity of home-grown produce, even after 250 years, their work – and the incredible knowledge of their members - continues to be relevant today.

"It would be fantastic to think that through Bloom! we’re able to inspire another generation of gardeners to keep this Ancient Society running for another two and a half centuries."

The full programme will be released in June and for more information visit bloomyork.com.