NELSON Civic Theatre was packed with fruit, vegetables and flowers for the town's annual horticultural show.

Dianne Mason, who resurrected the show five years after it had stopped running in the mid-nineties, said this was the biggest and best show yet.

She said: "We made a real effort this year to encourage more novices to enter and it has really paid off. Some of those who entered for the first time this year did really well too." There were also many experienced gardeners who entered flowers and produce. Local experts Alan Greenwood and Doug Cottam, who have both won national prizes, entered following successes at the Trawden Show last weekend.

Mrs Mason said: "Having people like Doug competing really helps to raise the standard because they all want to try and go a step better." With 100 different classes to enter the judges had their work cut out to choose the winners.

The show, held on Saturday, was opened by Pendle Mayor, Coun Mohammed Iqbal.