TAUNTON Flower Show will take up more of Vivary Park than ever before as visitors get the chance to pay their respects to soldiers killed in the First World War.

The war memorial near the entrance to the park, which has staged the world's longest-running flower show since 1851, is included in the layout for the first time.

The theme of this year's event on Friday and Saturday next week (August 3 and 4), when several thousand visitors are expected, is the 1914-18 conflict in celebration of the centenary of its ending.

A tribute to the gallantry of those who made the ultimate sacrifice will be a demonstration of the skilled horsemanship of the Cavalry of Horses team.

Show chaplains will be on hand to give away replicas of First World War Bibles - the Rev Tony Cox will even be dressed in an outfit from that period.

And members of the Royal British Legion will be present, including some in military uniforms from 100 years ago.

Work to set up for the event starts today (Thursday), although members of the public will still have access to certain areas until the days of the show.

Show chairman Adrian Prior-Sankey said the heatwave is good news for almost everybody - apart from one group of regulars.

He said: "The recent run of sunshine set to put the summer of 2018 in the record books looks likely to embrace the first weekend of August and has put a smile on the faces of the show organisers.

"We're cautiously optimistic it will offer us the best chance in recent years to showcase the best of the district's flowers, fruit and veg alongside great entertainment, food, drink and quality crafts."

Competition entries close on Sunday and Mr Prior-Sankey added: "Initial indications suggests that veg growers have been challenged by the need to water frequently, with entry numbers slightly lower than in recent record breaking years. Other classes look promising."

He added that the long spell of hot weather would probably mean families wanted a change from the beach, which could mean even more visitors than normal.

Among the fun will be falconry and sheepdog displays, and marching bands, while there will be plenty for young people in the Children's Village and music in the Festival Village.

The show opens to the public at 10am on both days, closing at 7pm on Friday and 6pm on Saturday.