ORGANISERS of the Spring Gardening Show on the Three Counties Showground from May 9-11 have been coping with a surge in ticket sales, with enthusiasts clamouring to take advantage of advance booking discounts on offer until Wednesday, April 23.

The Three Counties Agricultural Society, which stages the show in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, attributes the interest to the current sunshine and the record-breaking success of last year's event, when 88,000 came through the gates.

Now the show, which began as a small regional show in 1986, enjoys a national reputation as an inspirational, plant-lover's paradise, with more than 30 acres of specialist flowers, new plant discoveries and design ideas.

Its appearance on national television since 2001 has proved a huge boost to its continuing success, and the BBC Gardeners' World team, with new front man Monty Don, will be filming on the showground on Friday, May 9.

"New attractions for 2003 include a classical seven-circuit Labyrinth, the Royal National Rose Society Show, and a brand new Gardening Roadshow sponsored by Phostrogen and featuring practical tips and demonstrations from respected garden experts Martin Fish, Daphne Ledward, Peter Blackburne-Maze and Frank Hardy," said show spokesman Sharon Gilbert.

The society's floral marquee provides the show centre-piece, the perfect place to view the world's flora without having to traverse the globe. There are 10 exciting new gardens this year, together with the npower-sponsored Design a Garden competition garden and six permanent gardens.

Other attractions include delicious food and wine, creative crafts, children's themed workshops and entertainment from Mr Rotavator, and more than 500 quality exhibitors selling the latest in plants and gardening sundries and gadgets.