IT was a blooming wonderful day on Saturday as the Largs and District Horticultural Society held its annual show.

Growing conditions have been tough this year, after a cold winter and spring was followed by hot sunny weather in June and July.

So it was a pleasant surprise to see both the quality and quantity of exhibits compare favourably with recent years at the Dunn Memorial Hall.

Visitors were treated to a colourful spectacle of flowers , pot plants and vegetables, alongside mouthwatering home-baking and hobbies and crafts.

The Floral Art exhibits reflected great skills in artistic talent and imagination. Budding talent was also in evidence in the variety of exhibits in the schools and junior sections.

Other attractions included a 'hands-on' workshop given by members of Largs Flower Club.

The main prize winner was local gardener Christine Hitter, who carried home the Royal Bank of Scotland Quaich for most points overall, alongside four other trophies.

The organisers says there were pleased to see a number of new members exhibiting for the first time and one of them – Dave King from Saltcoats was awarded Best Exhibit in Show. His three superb carrots drew admiring comments from judges and visitors alike.

A spokesperson said: "Thanks go to all the people who have worked throughout the year to make the event a success and to the local shops and businesses who made generous donations.

"Special thanks to Kelburn Windfarm Community Trust and to Largs Rotary Club for their support."

A full list of prizewinners is as follows: Flower Show Trophy/ Prizewinners 2018: Overall winner of the show – Mrs Christine Hitter who won 5 cups; John W Hunter Cup for the Overall Winner of the Show; Royal Bank of Scotland Quaich for Most Points in the Show; Lord MacAndrew Cup for most Points Pot Plants; Harry Bacon Cup for Most Points in Fuchsias; John Scott Smith Cup for Most Points in Begonias; Blue Ribbon and Largs Challenge Trophy winner of Best in Show was Mr David King with his entry of “3 Carrots (other than long)”. He also won the Northfield Cup for Most Points in Vegetables.; Alexander McKay Cup for Most Points in Cut Flowers and Lord Inverclyde Cup for 3 Vases of Sweet Peas - Ian Halbert.; Fairweather Cup for Best Exhibit of 12 Roses and Ian Halbert Sponsorship for Best Display of Roses on a Stand - Mrs Etta Strachan.; William Murray Cup for Best Vase of 6 Roses – Mr Jim Welsh; Society Top Vase winner – Kay Winton; Robert Frazer Cup for Most Points in Carnations – Mr Robert McIlvar; Albert Stone Cup for Most Points in Dahlias – Mrs Joyce Taylor; Society Top Tray – Mr John Hitter; Jean George Novice Trophy for Flower Arranging for Novice Decorative - Mrs Hilary Moran; Mrs Jane B Ross Cup for Most Points in Decorative – Mrs Brenda Johnstone; George D Philip Cup for Most Points in Hobbies & Crafts – Miss Angela Crighton; Joyce Dunlop Trophy for Best Exhibit Tapestry – Christine Delussey; Mrs Agnes Neeson Cup for Most Points in Baking – Mrs Eileen Welsh

Pics: John Keachie.