MONTY Don faces the camera as Malvern's Spring Gardening Show prepares to welcome up to 90,000 visitors this weekend.

The Herefordshire-based Gardeners' World Live presenter and his BBC2 colleagues are due to record throughout the three-day Three Counties Showground event.

It has been a magnet for hundreds of thousands of gardening enthusiasts since starting in 1986.

THOUSANDS of visitors packed the walkways and marquees of Malvern's Spring Gardening Show today, many hoping to be on television tonight.

Because for the third year running, BBC 2's Gardeners World Live was due to record segments throughout the event's opening day ready for broadcast tonight at 8.30.

"There is no doubt exposure on national television has given us a tremendous boost," said Sharon Gilbert, Press officer for the Three Counties Agricultural Society, which co-hosts the colourful extravaganza with the Royal Horticultural Society, "and I am sure a lot of people will be tuning in tonight to see if they're on."

They might have to look closely though, for around 90,000 people are expected over the three days of the show on the Three Counties Showground.

The Gardeners' World crew, including new frontman Monty Don, who lives near Leominster, Herefordshire, arrived on site yesterday and will be filming all aspects of the show, particularly the spectacular RHS Malvern Floral Marquee, where more than 90 of the country's top nurseries are exhibiting.

"Since starting in 1986, the Spring Gardening Show has grown in quality to such an extent that a gold award here is now considered an equal of one at Chelsea Flower Show," added Ms Gilbert.

A host of gardening celebrities, such as "Flying Gardener" Chris Beardshaw and favourites like Nigel Colbourn and Joe Swift, will be on hand during the show for workshops, seminars and discussion groups.

New to the Malvern format this year is the Royal National Rose Society Show, plus a new Gardening Roadshow and a classical seven-circuit Labyrinth.

The showground is home to six permanent gardens and a competition for new designs has produced ten entries ranging from an actor's garden to an old mine.

"We pride ourselves that everything for the gardener and garden enthusiast, whether amateur or professional, is here," said Ms Gilbert.

With around 500 tradestands and an all star cast, the Spring Gardening Show is now rated as the first major national horticultural event of the year.

It's open 9am until 6pm today, tomorrow and Sunday.