A York florist is planning a massive flower festival for the city's Millennium celebrations.

Robert Hale, proprietor of Faunus The Florist in Walmgate hopes to call a public meeting next month to set up an organising committee.

Mr Hale, a former market gardener, provided a 1,000-flower display for the Ecofin summit conference of European finance ministers at the Mansion House, York, in March.

His vision is a two-day event, possibly at Knavesmire, which would attract up to 20,000 visitors.

The idea has already interested officials of the City of York Council. They have asked him to prepare details to present to the First Stop York committee which co-ordinates the drive to attract tourists.

Bryn Jones, a manager in the economic development office, said: "It sounds attractive. If it was going to be held in the year 2000 then it would be right to co-ordinate it with the numerous events planned for the Millennium, as well as the Mystery Plays and Early Music Festival."

"Already York has proved how flower conscious it is by staging its annual York in Bloom competition."

see COMMENT 'Bloomin' good idea'

see BUSINESS 'All bloom and boom for Robert'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.