TAUNTON Flower Show will be staged in the town's Vivary Park for the last time this summer.

Organisers are reluctantly seeking a new venue for the country's longest-running flower show for August 2018.

The move follows a decision by Taunton Deane Borough Council to impose charges for the use of Vivary Park, home to the event since 1851.

Announcing the decision to the team of volunteers who deliver the annual floral extravaganza, finance director Jim Lewis said: "It is with a heavy heart that the directors of Taunton Flower Show must ask landowners to make contact if they are interested in a partnership with us to identify a suitable site that will enable the jewel in our community’s cultural crown to remain in the town.

"We understand the council’s financial constraints, but it is simply not economic for us to accommodate a five-figure charge within an already tight budget.

"We are naturally sad to have to contemplate a move from the historic home of Taunton Flower Show which cherishes its status as the oldest event of its kind in Britain yet still makes a very significant contribution to the local economy and showcases the best of our region’s horticulture, crafts, arts and produce."

The attractions lined up for this years show on August 4 and 5 include a record number of seven designer gardens, six of which feature experts new to the show who are eager to display their talents to the many visitors who will flock to the event.

The competition and floral tents are both being extended this year to accommodate additional amateur and professional participants.

Mr Lewis added: "We are also sorry to have to announce that as a consequence of tighter conditions imposed by the council for health and safety reasons, it is likely that a larger area of the park will be closed for a longer period this year."

Any landowners interested in hosting Taunton Flower Show 2018 should e-mail the show’s project team at info@tauntonfs.co.uk