Organisers of the 86th Annual Gardening and Craft Show are celebrating a ‘very successful’ day after it attracted nearly 900 entries.

The day-long display, hosted by Sid Valley Horticultural Society, was held on Saturday (August 16) on Sidford Sports Field and attracted more than 500 visitors.

Show secretary Beryl Kingman said: “The entries were as always of a very high standard. I am constantly amazed at how clever and resourceful people are.”

Several prizes were up for grabs as competitors showed off their flowers and house plants before judges observed fruit and vegetables.

A wide selection of food was entered from a host of household veggies - tomatoes and potatoes – to a light-hearted ‘oddest shaped vegetable’ rank.

Bakers then showed off their sponges while chutneys were pitted against each other in the Homecraft competition.

Crafts ranging from photography to decorative were also judged.

Youngsters were given the chance to compete in this year’s show as pre-school children took part in a ‘paint a ladybird’ competition while reception children painted a hairy caterpillar.

Children from Years Three to Six were challenged to draw a map of a treasure island while youngsters aged up to 12 were given creative tasks, from making a vegetable monster on a plate to a garden in a tin.

Beryl added: “The new section for young people attracted quite a lot of interest and this will definitely be included in next year’s schedule, which we are already planning.

“Thanks must go to all who entered the show, the Women’s Institute for the delicious cakes, Sidmouth Garden Centre for the lovely display at the entrance of the marquee, to all the committee who worked so hard and to everyone who came and supported us.”