THE youngest competitor at this week's record breaking Taunton Flower Show is a one-year-old.

A total of 2,840 separate items had been checked in by the deadline for the 'Chelsea of the West' in Vivary Park on Friday and Saturday, 228 up on last year.

The exhibits will be exhibited on a third of a mile of tables to Competitions director Ian Coleby and his team are busy preparing cards and labels for each plant, floral display, craft item, confection, picture, photograph or children’s artwork in time for judging at 7.45am on Friday.

He said: "We have our best year ever for competition entries.

"The long period of hot weather seems to have contributed to the increase in certain categories, notably fruit and vegetables, where there are almost 100 entries in the tomato class.

"Our youngest of the 521 young people entering is one and we have 147 submissions by novice gardeners, so the future is looking good."

The results of the 348 classes will be published mid-morning Friday, with more than £5,000 of prize money on offer and 63 cups and trophies to be won.

Vivary Park will be transformed into a tented village ready to greet the anticipated 18,000 visitors over the two days of the event.

Show chairman Adrian Prior-Sankey said: "The small band of showground workers and an army of volunteers have worked tirelessly for eight days to ensure the traditional high standard expected of us is achieved.

"The need to build the show in less time than usual to reduce the impact of the council’s new charge gave us several headaches but the team has been magnificent and by Tuesday we were where we would normally be.

"The weather forecast is in our favour and the blooms and attractions await the inspection of the crowds.

"Enlarged tents will ensure a comfortable tour around the displays mounted by professional horticultural traders and the competitors.

"It would be wonderful if the record number of entries was matched by a record attendance and I appeal to the community to come and support the jewel in Taunton’s cultural crown, especially if they have never done so before."

Taunton Flower Show is the oldest, longest-running show of its kind in the UK, having started in 1831. It is the second oldest, longest-running in world after Philadelphia.