GREEN-fingered DJ Jo Whiley and Gardeners’ World favourite Monty Don lead a star-studded line-up at this year's RHS Malvern Spring Festival.

Whiley, confirmed as a first-time guest in the week she launched her new BBC Radio 2 show, will be talking about her love of gardening and music.

Monty Don will be returning to the event together with some of his famous co-presenters from the hit BBC show including Joe Swift and Carol Klein.

Monty, always a hit with the crowds at Malvern, has described the event as his “local show” dubbing the setting as the most beautiful part of the country.

Cooking up a storm will be celebrity chef Raymond Blanc, while Masterchef host John Torode will be back for his second visit.

Other well-known faces include TV presenter Chris Beardshaw, The Big Allotment Challenge’s Jonathan Moseley and plantswoman and author Sarah Raven.

The fresh young face of gardening, Frances Tophill, is an exciting new addition to the show this year as she creates a stir in the world of horticulture.

Diana Walton, head of shows, said they were delighted to be able to announce such a stellar collection of experts.

“The RHS Malvern Spring Festival is a hugely popular event on the gardening calendar having a particularly engaging character all of its own,” she said.

“We are thrilled that it attracts the big names and that this list reflects those popular regulars that love being at Malvern and the new faces that everyone is eager to get to see and meet.”

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival, sponsored by Great Little Breaks, is on May 9-12 .

It celebrates the finest in both gardening and food with shopping also offered across leading lifestyle brands.

Advance tickets are now on sale, with prices starting at £19 for RHS and Three Counties members, or £21 for the general public. Children under 16 go free. Group tickets are also available.