THE recent heatwave could boost visitor numbers at Taunton Flower Show at the end of this week.

The organisers believe sun worshippers will be so fed up of going to the beach that they'll turn out in their thousands for the country's longest-running flower show.

Work is well underway to transform Vivary Park into a tented village on Friday and Saturday for one of the annual highlights in the Taunton calendar.

Show chairman Adrian Prior-Sankey said organisers have checked the forecast and are expecting more dry, warm weather.

He added: "We are cautiously optimistic that the mid-range weather forecasts predicting continued dry warm weather into August will offer us one of the best chances in years to showcase the best of the region’s flowers, fruit and vegetables alongside designer gardens, traders, great entertainment, bee-keeping, food, drink and quality crafts.

"In normal years we often joke that we don’t want too much sunshine on show days for fear of people having one chance in the summer to go to the beach, but this summer we have the unusual prospect of families actually being bored by so many trips to the coast in recent weeks.

"We are pleased to offer something special as an alternative and, with the shade and cool of so many tents to shelter in, we hope to welcome visitors of all ages who can enjoy a full day out."

Competition entries close at 5pm today (Monday, July 29) and initial indications suggest vegetable 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.

New this year is a challenge to teams of two gardeners willing to create a modest garden scene in just one hour - Pimp a Patio builds on the success of Ready, Steady, Garden!, created for Taunton Flower Show by BBC Gardener of the Decade Kath Crouch.

The entertainment includes The BMX Show, with riders flying through the air, and a specially commissioned Garden of Delights show created by Fuse Somerset Outdoor Arts with aerial acrobatics and dancers.

Performances include three free-standing mobile aerial rigs, as well as international acrobatic solo, duo and trio aerial performers.Artistes will delight audiences with their choreographed aerial acrobatic routines, aerial silk and dance for an enchanting arena spectacle.

Adding to the fun will be the Essex Dog display team and, on Friday, the Combined Youth Bands of Barnstaple and Bideford and a vibrant programme of music in three locations around the showground.

Young people have an array of fun and games available free of charge in the Children's Village and a challenge to complete a series of activities taking the theme of the summer’s Taunton Toad Trail.

Full details of the show, ticket prices and opening times are available by clicking here.

Taunton Visitor Centre in the Market House, The Brewhouse Theatre and Hatchers Department Store in the town centre will be able to sell tickets up until the close of show.