Organisers of a major flower festival are looking forward to one of their biggest rose shows yet.

Rose Week organiser Alice Blennerhassett said: "The event gets bigger every year, but it's not just for the green fingered."

She said children can take part in entertainment while parents enjoy displays of beautiful roses, noting that a special 'Gardiner' was on hand to help kick-off the event with Miss Northern Ireland, Cherie Gardiner on hand for the launch, (pictured here).

Ms Blennerhassett continued: "Competitions in the Rose Garden start at 12 noon next Tuesday and then run daily from 10am-8pm.

"The big day is of course Wednesday when the international judges will be assessing the entries in the City of Belfast Rose Trials at Lady Dixon Park, with the winners being announced at the Rose Dinner on Wednesday night," said Alice.

Thirty nine roses are in competition with entries from Northern Ireland, England, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, France and the USA.

Visitors are also getting a chance to see behind the public image of the famous park with a 'Secret Garden Stroll' on the evening of Wednesday and a 'Birds, Bees and Buildings' walk looking at biodiversity in the park on Thursday afternoon.

Travel to Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon is being laid on by public transport with a special shuttle service leaving Europa bus centre daily from 1.00pm.

The show which attracts thousands of visitors to the city, begins next Tuesday July 14 and runs until Sunday July 19.

(BMcC/JM)