A PAVED square in the heart of York has been transformed into a tranquil oasis.

Shoppers and visitors to the city this weekend could be forgiven for thinking they've stepped into an exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show when the take a stroll round St Sampson's Square.

Students from Askham Bryan College will be putting in the hard work to create a garden using 300 metres of turf, plants and hard landscaping materials to help highlight York's entry in this year's Yorkshire In Bloom competition.

Alongside the installation there will be perennials, peonies and pansies available among the host of plants at York's annual gardening market which is on today and tomorrow.

The event will be held in Parliament Street and St Sampson's Square from 9am to 5pm both days.

The market is organised by City of York Council and Askham Bryan Agricultural College, and is sponsored by York City Centre Partnership.

Highlights include a mini market in Parliament Street, with stalls offering plants, flowers, shrubs, garden ornaments and garden furniture.

Visitors will be able to take a break with tea on the lawn' in the landscaped garden.

Stewart Ward, horticultural resource manager at Askham Bryan, said: "The garden and market are here to be enjoyed, all the grass will be reused on council projects at the end of the installation and the plants will be sold off."