FOR a small community Badsey knows how to celebrate in style.

The village's flower show is a real hardy perennial which has reached 99 appearances and delights residents and visitors alike.

Last Saturday afternoon, the recreation ground in Sands Lane staged the annual flower and craft show, which saw more than 1,000 people attend, including visitors from as far afield as Russia in the village as part of an exchange.

Tony Fowler, event organiser, said it had been a very good afternoon with 1,100 entries in the flower sections just short of last year's 1,200.

The craft show included everything from embroidery and tapestry to wood and metalwork with classes for literature and photography, the latter proving especially popular.

Mr Fowler stressed the importance of involving children.

"If you don't encourage them now, they might not be interested in entering when they are adults," he said.

Mr Fowler said standards were high with quality improving significantly in the last two years.

Mr Fizz the Clown made his third successive appearance and thrilled children with juggling and other tricks. He also toured the show on his musical tricycle and made animals out of balloons.

At 1pm, the afternoon's entertainment began with Rayna Grinnell's dance group who performed a couple of specially choreographed routines to music.

This gave way to a variety of activities to suit all ages, including a fun dog show, face painting, pony rides and music from Bretforton Silver Band.

Mr Fowler, said: "Everyone really enjoyed themselves, I would like to thank the committee and helpers, we would be nowhere without them."