MOUTH-watering cakes, flowers and vegetables – including a giant marrow – took pride of place at Banbury’s annual horticultural show.

Scores of people flocked to the fourth annual Banbury Flower and Produce Show, in Market Place, on Sunday, August 22.

Organiser Banbury Town Council teamed up with the Four Shires Magazine to combine the event with a food festival, for the second year running.

Town councillor Kieron Mallon, who revived the show after a break of several years, said the event was the best food and produce show the town had ever seen.

He said: “The market looked fantastic with all the stalls, and we had the biggest marquee that could fit in Cornhill which was full and over-flowing with local produce like cakes, jams and everything else.

“The town hall was used as a beer, cider and wine festival and was full to brimming with everyone enjoying locally-brewed beer and cider.

“We started four years ago with 30 to 40 exhibits in the town hall, then we invited the Four Shires and we have since outgrown the hall and moved into Market Place. People really got involved in this event and enjoyed it.”

This year there was a total of 161 exhibits across a host of classes including best floral displays, children’s model made from vegetables, and best fruit, vegetables, preserves and cakes.

Some of the winners included best in show, fruit and vegetables, Richard Preston; children’s variety category, Aisha Halford; cakes and preserves, Sarah Loveridge; and Daphne Preston won three awards, cut flowers and potted plants, best in show for cut flowers and potted plants and overall points winner.

On the day visitors were asked to guess the weight of a giant marrow, which has been revealed as 46lb 5oz.