Garden show this weekend

Thousands of people are expected to attend the event which includes a talk by BBC gardening presenter Steve Brookes

THE largest garden show in the Thames Valley kicks off tonight (Friday) with thousands of visitors expected over the weekend.

West Woodhay House Garden Show attracted 8,000 visitors over two days in 2009 and a good turn out is expected again this year.

The biannual event starts tonight with an invitation only gala evening and is then open to the public tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday between 10am and 6pm.

This year's attractions include a plant finder fair, which will be situated in front of the house, and more than 70 gift and craft stalls on the main lawn as well as a fun fair, paintball range and face painting.

BBC gardening presenter Steve Brookes will be in the main marquee tomorrow (Saturday) to give advice on gardening and cookery demonstrations, and Tim Clapp, head of Horticulture for the Garden Centre Group, will give a talk on rose growing.

On the Sunday morning an open air service will be conducted by the Rev Julie Ramsbotham within the old church in the garden. There will also be a gardeners question time and advice in the main marquee and lawn.

Refreshments will also be available at the event, which costs £7 with children under 15 for free. Members of the Newbury and District Agricultural Society can enter for £5 if a membership card is produced.

Visitors wishing to bring dogs can do so if their pet is kept on a lead.