TEN thousand people attended the three-day flower festival at Stonyhurst College.
The event had been two years in the planning by the North West area branch of the National Association of Flower Arranging Societies (NAFAS).
It featured more than 100 exhibits including eight large sculptures of St Peter and copies of work at Tate Modern, made from either tree or plant materials
The group stages flower shows in the region every few years.
Another is not expected until 2008 at the earliest because of the phenomenal planning work needed.
Visitors paid either £7.50 or £8.50 to enter the event at the Hurst Green college with proceeds going to the North West Air Ambulance and the International Christian Aid Trust.
A number of trade stalls were also there.
Ann Coulton, the design co-ordinator for North West NAFAs, said: "There are 73 flower societies in the North West and we wanted to show everyone what floral design was all about.
"People don't realise anything beyond the stereotype.
"This festival shows how things have changed and all the wonderful craft work that goes on.
"We want people to see how wonderful it is to get into flowers -- and we found a lot of different sections of the public visiting, including men and younger people."
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