BEAUTIFUL sweet pea flowers adorned a garden centre as part of a national contest.

Millets Farm hosted the National Sweet Pea Society early show this weekend.

People had been invited to bring seven stems of sweet peas from their garden or allotment. Flowers came arranged in bowls, jam jars and pots. The competition was split into categories including basket, table decoration, colour and type.

Philip O’Hara, 62, was “auditing” the peas for historical records and for growers to see how well particular varieties performed.

Mr O’Hara, of West Challow, said: “It was an excellent day as far as we were concerned – a lovely summer’s day. There was a smashing turnout. We had more than 500 exhibitors. It doesn’t get better than that. It ticked all the boxes.”

Society chairman John Macefield said there were 405 individual entries. He said: “Sweet peas this year have been extremely good.

“We were pleased overall with the show. There were a tremendous number of visitors.”

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