PERSHORE is bracing itself for thousands of visitors for the Festival of Flowers in what the mayor, Chris Parsons, has described as “a national event”.

Taking place at Pershore Abbey for three days from June 24 to June 26, the festival will be a celebration of flowers and flower arranging, with professional designers from all over the country booked to attend.

The entire abbey is expected to be filled with floral displays of every sort, but with a common theme, they will all be depicting the various elements of life in Pershore.

Coun parsons said: “They normally do these events at places like Westminster Abbey and we are expecting thousands of people over the three days.

“The whole of the abbey will be transformed over the festival. While funds raised will go towards my two charities, the Royal Lifeboat Association and Macmillan Cancer Support, it will also be great for Pershore to have all these extra visitors.

“There will be refreshments in the town hall and we think it will be very busy. This will be a national event.”

He added: “The festival has been coordinated by Jan, and we are extremely grateful to all the local organisations which have sponsored us.”