YORKBID has turned the city into a riot of colour ahead of the first-ever Bloom! festival.

Work was completed installing vibrant floral displays across the centre of York this weekend.

YorkBID’s Elliot Sawyer said: “After the success of the winter lights illuminations we want to fill the city with colour during the summer months, too.

“The planters have only been up a few days and already they have attracted a lot of positive comments.

More than 100 displays have been put in place, including 63 planters, 12 flower towers and around 20 hanging baskets.

All are planted with a mix of flowers, including trailing begonias, petunia sufinias and geraniums in pinks, purples, yellows and reds.

The displays are due to come into full flower in time for Bloom!, which starts on July 5, and will be maintained to keep them looking their best until mid-September.

The horticultural festival marks the 250th anniversary of the Ancient Society of York Florists, the oldest such society in the world. See www.bloomyork.com for details.