A THREE-DAY flower show, recognised as the top autumn event in the country, is expecting another record-breaking attendance.

Last year, 37,385 people visited the event on the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, beating the previous record by more than 1,000.

However, the North of England Horticultural Society is nervous of forecasting a third successive record attendance.

But the only dip in the gate during the past nine years came in 2000 when there was a petrol crisis. Then there was a drop of nearly 5,000.

The show opens on Friday and runs until Sunday.

One of the its most popular events, the heaviest onion competition, will take centre stage at noon on Friday.

Last year's winner Bill Lamb from Easington, County Durham, saw his winning onion weighing in at 13lb 12oz and earn him a prize of £500.

Ticket prices are £10 each day, apart from Sunday when there is a £5 charge after 2pm.