A RYEDALE church is putting on a blooming marvellous show as its annual flower festival gets under way.

St Peter's Church, in Norton, is awash with colour this weekend as buds and blossoms of every description take over the building.

Malton and District Flower Club has this year provided the spectacular displays, which Norton vicar the Rev Bill Ankers says are a delight to look at.

"This is the first time for quite a while that we have had the club do the displays, so it is a big do. They have worked very hard, it's been a hive of activity."

As well as the celebration of flowers, special events have been organised throughout the weekend.

Tonight the Harrogate Chamber Singers are visiting St Peter's from 7pm. Tickets cost £6 and £4.50 concessions and include cheese and wine.

Then tomorrow a special Songs of Praise service hosted by Rev Simon Stanley will take place at 6pm. The church will be open from 11am to 4pm today and tomorrow and then again on Sunday afternoon for visitors to admire the stunning floral displays.

Rev Ankers added: "There's an awful lot of work gone into this - flower posters have been delivered from York to Whitby about it."

Updated: 09:55 Saturday, September 21, 2002