A RECORD number of visitors enjoyed this year's Harrogate Spring Flower Show.

April showers were not enough to keep the visitors away, with almost 2,000 more attending this year than the previous record set last year.

Almost 60,000 visitors from all over the country came to the Great Yorkshire Showground over the four days, which mark the start of the horticultural show season.

The local highlight was York-based business North of England Bonsai winning the show's Premier Award for the second year running.

Owner Louis Hawksby picked up the top award in the Horticultural Nurseries section.

He said: "I am delighted to have won for the second year. I don't believe it has ever been done before, definitely not with bonsais.

"I was told it was a unanimous decision by the judges, and we had a great response from the public too, so I am very proud."

North of England Horticultural Society spokeswoman Mary Bond said: "One of the founding principles of the Society way back in 1911 was to support horticulturists in the North, so as well as providing various sponsorships throughout the region, our main aim is to give everyone who attends the Harrogate Show a good deal."

She said BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time star Bob Flowerdew summed up it up when he said: "Harrogate is a show for real gardeners."

Updated: 08:50 Tuesday, April 29, 2003