SOLDIERS will be swapping their rifles for flowers next month to help showcase the community work of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Visitors will be greeted on the opening day RHS Garden Harlow Carr’s second flower show by soldiers from the 6 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, based in Dishforth near Thirsk, who have been working with the society to run a “boot camp” for more than 500 local school pupils.

Hundreds of decommissioned army boots have been planted up and decorated by the pupils in a bid to help brighten up grey community spaces and will be on display for flower show visitors to enjoy.

Military wives will also showcase a series of portable gardens created on wooden pallets which will be transported back to their local communities – together with the boots – after the show, which runs from June 23 5o 25.

Visitors will also have the chance to browse and buy goods from over 40 specialist plant nurseries and gardening trade stands as well as seek plant advice and horticultural inspiration.

Talks and demonstrations will take place throughout the long weekend, along with question and answer sessions with members of the RHS Garden Advice Service and talks by a selection of nurseries.

Liz Thwaite, head of RHS Garden Harlow Carr, said: “We’re looking forward to building on the success of last year’s show. We have even more specialist nurseries and a wider range of trade stands to choose from as well as a summer art and photography exhibition in the garden’s historic Bath House, or visitors can simply sit back and relax and enjoy a fine summer’s day out in a beautiful Yorkshire garden.”

Entrance to the show is included in normal garden entry and the show is open from 10am to 5pm each day. Visit rhs.org.uk/harlowcarrwhatson or call 01423-565418 for more details including a full list of stands and nurseries attending.