MORE than £1,000 worth of blooms will be on display at a North Yorkshire flower show next month.

Members of Malton and District Flower Club are staging the charity event at St Michael's parish church in Malton.

money raised will go towards the church's ambitious development fund, said Romey Willis, assistant church warden.

The congregation is raising the money needed to buy the flowers and already £300 has been given. Mrs Willis said: "We are anxious to get sponsorship or donations from businesses or individuals because the church is held in affection by so many people."

Recent improvements to St Michael's have included providing a vestry for the vicar, creating a creche for young families going to services, and alterations to the Lady Chapel.

The church recently had to find £3,500 to finance the restoration of the organ and several thousand pounds to repair the stonework on the tower she added.

"Our aim is to make the church a meeting place for the whole community of Malton, but we need such facilities as toilets - at present we have to use the public toilets in the Market Place".

The flower festival will run from June 5 to 8, and has the title of Saints Alive! It will feature a catalogue of saints and the trades and skills with which they are historically linked.

Updated: 09:14 Tuesday, May 20, 2003