VISITORS and garden enthusiasts have been having a great time as the annual Malvern Spring Festival gets underway.

The show, a celebration of garden design and innovation, is being held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, and will be running till Sunday, May 12.

Designers from across the country have produced stunning show gardens for the festival, including two designers from Worcestershire who have won prestigious gold awards for their efforts.

Sebastian Conrad and Kate Rees won gold for their garden, called ‘What If - In Support of the Rees Foundation’ in addition to the designers from Villaggio Verde, who also won gold for their ‘The Orange Express’ garden.

Talking about their design, Mr Conrad said: "We have designed it to reflect the creative process Kate goes through as an artist.

"The colours represent the explosion of creativity which happens when she closes her eyes andn we are really proud of it.

"Winning the gold medal was a surprise and really nice but for Kate and I it is more about creating something we both love."

In addition to the gardens, businesses and artisans from across Worcestershire are exhibiting and showing their wares to the thousands of guests who have already come through the gates.

There have also been regular talks and demonstrations from the special guests throughout, packing out the main show tent.

A host of famous faces have been booked for this year’s festival, including first-timer Jo Whiley.

In addition to the green-fingered DJ, regular guest Monty Don is doing a series of talks throughout the course of the festival, as well as TV gardeners including Carol Klein, Chris Beardshaw, Sarah Raven and Joe Swift.

Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc was at the festival on Thursday and John Torode will be there on Friday and Saturday.

The annual festival attracts thousands of visitors and tourists each year and features designers from across the country.

Tickets are still available for Saturday and Sunday and for more information, go to www.rhsmalvern.co.uk/