A FLOWER show has broken its attendance record for the second successive year.

Almost 60,000 people visited the four-day Harrogate Spring Flower Show, held at the Great Yorkshire Showground.

By last night, 59,491 visitors had attended the event, which was organised by the North of England Horticultural Society. Last year's total was 57,600.

The show, which starts the country's flower show season, will see many of the gold medal winners at Harrogate also taking gold at the Chelsea Flower Show, which is held from Tuesday to Friday, May 20 to May 23.

Show director Roger Brownbridge said: "We knew there was a big increase in pre-booked tickets, but did not know whether people had simply shifted to that method rather than paying on the day.

"It was tremendous to find that we have broken the record for the second time in successive years."

Organisers believe they have been rewarded by the public for having much of the show under cover.

The show, which moved to its present site in 1997 from Harrogate's Valley Gardens where it was unable to expand, has free parking for 8,000 vehicles, improved facilities and 80 per cent of the event is held under cover on a 22-acre site.

The event has become so popular that there is now an annual waiting list for space by exhibitors.