MORE than 1,000 visitors attended Kidderminster Horticultural Society's annual show which was held over two days.

The show, staged in marquees at Hurrans Garden Centre, West Hagley, on Saturday and Sunday, saw a drop in visitors, from 1,800 last year to 1,150 this year, with organisers attributing that partly to weather forecasts that did not prove as bad as first feared.

"We were quite pleased with the weather at the event but the forecast was for more rain and wind," said David West, vice-chairman of the society, which has 1,000 members.

He went on: "We were particularly pleased with the gardeners' question time," adding: "The show looked good. The chrysanthemums and dahlias looked excellent. There was a wide range of exhibits. We were very pleased with that."

There were more than 170 classes in the show, covering a range of categories from flowers to vegetables, as well as floral art and handicrafts.

Mr West paid tribute to the organising team, saying: "It's a great team effort. It takes a lot to put these things on."

He added: "This is probably the biggest social event we do in the year."

The first recorded Kidderminster Horticultural Society show was in 1882.

Main results were:

National chrysanthemum silver medal: Mr D Tilt, Halesowen.

National dahlia silver medal: Cliff Wragg, Solihull.

National vegetable medal: Austin Fletcher, Rock.

Allotment challenge shield: Greatfield Road Allotments, Kidderminster.

Special floral art club class: Kidderminster Horticultural Society.

Window box competition: Kidderminster Horticultural Society.

James craft cup for handicrafts: Sandra Thomas, Stourport.

Len Clarke cup for domestic classes: Sheila Bishop, Kidderminster.

Garden News top tray: Mr G Rosser, Kidderminster.

Garden News top vase and Bansian medal for most money won in show: Mr G Chadbourne, Kidderminster.

West wine cup: John Hartland, Kidderminster.

Blakedown Nurseries cup for best exhibit in floral art classes: Mrs Doreen Lunn, Kidderminster.