A FLOWER club's annual celebration of the start of spring has been judged a success.

Darlington Flower Club members gathered at Headlam Hall Hotel, near Gainford, last week.

The event began with coffee and biscuits, together with various table sales, all followed by lunch.

After lunch, chairwoman Jane Currie introduced guest speaker Judith Hibbert, who gave members plenty of laughs.

She said: "Judith is an excellent entertainer and who has performed on TV and is often entertaining at Leeds City Variety.

"She has performed in the US and the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as in America and the London stage through her varied and colourful career with her talents especially her singing.

"She is married to an actor and her daughter is currently playing Demelza in the new series of Poldark whilst her son is at university but he is also a song and dance man.

"As some of the ladies commented she was the best after dinner speaker and could she come again.

"Everyone ached with laughter and joined in the singing.

"She was thanked by [club president] Peggy Sampson for a wonderful afternoon."

Funds raised at the event will be donated to the Children's Heart Unit Fund, at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle.