THE annual Ryedale Rose Festival erupted into a blaze of colour and scent at the RV Roger Nursery and Plant Centre in Pickering at the weekend.

Sunny skies brought out hundreds of visitors to see one of the premier national events in the rose growers’ calendar.

The event incorporates the British Isles Rose Society’s flagship annual show and awards ceremony, plus the Amateur Rose Breeders Association display

Visitors were able to view the huge range and diversity of the nation’s favourite flower, and had the opportunity to wander through the RV Roger rose fields, and enjoy the spectacle of more than 50,000 rose bushes in full bloom.

This year’s entries included modern roses, King of the Show, British Isles Master, novelty and miniature..

A spokesperson said: “Our nursery has celebrated 100 years of growing roses in the Vale of Pickering. Visitor numbers were thought to be well up on the previous year with hundreds of adults and children passing through the gates of this friendly, free, and colourful show.

“The two-day event was bigger, better and brighter than ever, with a huge marquee to house the top exhibits and silverware trophies for the class winners.”

He added: “Crowds poured into the site all weekend, and while the sun shone, visitors enjoyed refreshments from the pop-up cafeteria, listened to live music from the , watched talks and demonstrations, enjoyed arts and crafts stands, and wandered amongst a million flowers in the plant centre.”