CHILDREN'S TV favourite Mr Bloom is to take centre stage at a special family day during the RHS Spring Festival on Malvern's Three Counties showground.

CBeebies star Ben Faulks, who plays the character, will feature in a line-up of events and activities especially for families on Sunday May 10, the last day of the horticultural extravaganza formerly known as Malvern Spring Gardening Show

Mr Bloom will be encouraging budding gardeners to get their fingers dirty alongside BBC Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins. Together the pair will host a planting workshop in the Discovery Zone between 12noon and 1.30pm. The Discovery Zone will be a hive of activity throughout the day with workshops and activity stations engaging and inspiring children and their families. Chris Collins will also be teaching little ones how to grow their own lettuces for their lunchboxes.

Festival manager Doreen Smillie-Gray said: “The RHS motto is ‘gardening for everyone’ which inspired us to create a day with activities specifically aimed at engaging and inspiring children. Gardening can provide a lifetime of happiness and we’re keen to introduce children to the joys at a young age.”

Schools from across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire are exhibiting show gardens at this year’s Spring Festival and youngsters can follow a cryptic map and hunt for clues on a mystery treasure hunt around the school gardens.

Magical man of mystery and wonder, Mr Alexander will be entertaining children with his spectacular one-man show throughout the day. His shows are reminiscent of vintage variety shows of yesteryear featuring a unique and captivating blend of magic, juggling, unicycling, balance and illusion.

Throughout the four day festival, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, visitors can see stunning show gardens alongside award-winning nurseries and an abundance of food celebrities and experts.

One of the first major RHS shows of the season, RHS Malvern will feature the finest gardening and food royalty. BBC Gardeners’ World’s Carol Klein and Joe Swift together with Great British Allotment Challenge’s Jim Buttress and Jonathan Moseley and The One Show’s Christine Walkden are just some of the gardening pedigree who will be attending.

Britain’s favourite Frenchman chef Raymond Blanc, Masterchef’s celebrity grocer Gregg Wallace and Otter Farm's and occasionally River Cottage’s Mark Diacono are just three of the high profile names headlining the event's festival theatre.

Children aged 16 and under receive free entry to RHS Malvern Spring Festival on all four days of the show, which will take place from Thursday May 7 until Sunday May 10. Tickets are now on sale. Advanced tickets are from £15 for RHS and Three Counties members and from £16 for non-members. Tickets available on the gate from £19. For information on ticket prices and celebrity appearances visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk or call 01684 230128