SPECIAL guests got a sneak preview into a village's annual flower festival last night.
Green-fingered volunteers were putting the final touches to their pieces at St Mary's Church, in Staindrop, yesterday afternoon ahead of the festival this weekend.
Flower arrangers and community groups have put on their best displays at the popular event which this year has a theme of My Favourite Poem.
Mary Steventon, of the organising committee, said everyone had worked hard to make the event a success.
A preview party was held at the church last night where guests enjoyed wine and nibbles as they enjoyed the displays.
The festival will officially open today, between 10am and 5pm with refreshments in Scarth Hall, Staindrop from 11am to 4pm.
It will open again tomorrow, from 1pm to 5pm, with refreshments until 4pm and on Monday, August 27, from 10am to 4pm with refreshments between 11am and 3pm. Entry is £4.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here