FORGET traditional flower shows, here's one which broke the mould and created a New Beginning'.

That was the theme of St Andrew's Parish Church's floral show, which was open to the public of the Bank Holiday weekend.

And the star of the New Beginnings Flower Show was a twelve-foot long fish, created by the Club in the Park group using dogwood and willow.

Margaret Moore, festival chairman, said the fish was designed by an international designer.

She added: "It is quite appropriate that a fish should be the centrepiece of the festival at St Andrew's, because he is the patron saint of fishermen."

But the aquatic statue wasn't the only attraction.

Prize-winning artists, with experience of world-class competition, lined up to demonstrate their talents: Craig Bullock, an international floral designer and Gold Ribbon holder within the NAFAS; Carol Firmstone, co-designer of the acclaimed 1997 Canterbury Flower Festival; and John and Bett Waring, international teachers and demonstrators of floral design.

John and Bett, now based in New Longton, are original founders of Leyland's Club in the Park - which is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

Margaret added: "All preconceived ideas about flower festivals were put aside, to create a truly different show. Exhibits depicted Bible texts, as befit the re-launch St Andrew's into the Millennium."

St Andrew's Parish Church, which dates back to around 1200AD, has been closed since December 1998, to accommodate a modernisation programme.

The re-opening will take place with a bishop's visit in October.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.