The sweet scent of spring filled the air at the Bovingdon flower show on Saturday.

Daffodils, floral art and handicrafts were just some of the delights on display at the annual Bovingdon and District Horticultural Society show.

This year the society had 27 entrants providing approximately 166 entries.

Show secretary Pam Rose said: “Judges complimented entrants on the very high quality of their exhibits. Daffodil and flower judge Peter Mazillius said the quality of exhibits was the best he had encountered, considering that we are a relatively small society.

“Mr Mazillius said all exhibits were of a very good standard, some outstanding, and the best overall standard of the many shows he has judged.”

The Daffodil Society Medal for the best daffodil exhibit in show was awarded to Brian Stewart for a single specimen bloom.

It was a successful day for Mr Stewart who was also awarded the Wildacre Cup for achieving first place in 23 out of the 45 classes and second place on three occasions.

Ms Rose added: “Brian is one of our regular and much-valued exhibitors, breeding many of his own daffodil species from seed, resulting in some very beautiful and unusual blooms.”

Glenys Welstead won the floral art competition with her arrangement entitled Easter Parade and was presented with a voucher.

A close runner-up in this class was Mavis Lawrence, and the judge admitted that it had been a very difficult choice.

The Challenge Cup for the best exhibit in the handicrafts section went to Doreen Jones for a hand knitted garment.

The paintings section attracted 28 entries and included some very interesting and varied pieces of work.

The Pendley Estates Trophy, awarded for the best exhibit in this section, was awarded to Peter Small for his picture of a pastoral scene.

The next event for the society will be its annual plant sale on May 9, in Bovingdon Memorial Hall when a wide variety of plants including summer bedding, basket and container plants, shrubs and vegetables will be on sale. There will also be a special table selling in aid of the Hospice of St Francis.