A BUMPER year was deemed the best ever as the sun shone down on a popular flower show.

The Stoke Poges, Wexham & Fulmer Horticultural Society hosted the 123rd flower show at The Stoke Poges School in Rogers Lane with around 1,400 people attending on Saturday.

A large display of just under 700 entries was available for people to view with a mixture of vegetables, fruit and plants exhibited, with the number of entries nearly doubling from last year.

Ruth Rooley, chairman of the society, said: "It went really well. In my memory, it was the best show we have had yet. The attendance was up to 1,400 people. We normally have just over a thousand people but this time we had around 1,400 or so, and they were there all afternoon.

"Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves. It was a nice sunny day and people seemed to really enjoy the band.

"The judges were very complimentary of the entries. They said that we had more high quality exhibits than any other show they have attended this year, which is particularly amazing considering the weather has been so strange this year."

As well as the exhibits, there was also performances from thee Reading Spring Gardens band, as well as 34 stalls with a wide spread of local societies and organisations, hand made goods and games.

Members from the Uxbridge and District Class Vehicle Society also displayed their classic cars, with the award winners presented their cups and trophies by Stoke Poges Parish Council chairman Ralph Bagge.

Gaby Battrick was the winner of the prestigious Michael Mobbs trophy, awarded to the individual, or group, that has made a significant difference to the show, or the society, in the past year.

For more pictures, pick up a copy of tomorrow's Observer.