THE sun shone through the clouds as thousands gathered to be a part of the first day of the internationally-known Holker Garden Festival.

Serenaded by the dulcet tones of Ulverston Victoria High School's band, keen artistic gardeners showed off their handiwork.

Judged by the hosts of the three day extravaganza, Lord and Lady Cavendish and their daughter Lucy, gardeners battled it out for supremacy.

John Roberts, of Sharp Paving and Landscapes in Kendal, won his tenth large garden title and sixth best in show with his display 'The Artist's Retreat'.

He said: "I'm really pleased with the result. When you get the reward it really is the icing on top of the cake.

"This is my advertising board and I generate a lot of local interest here. It's really hard work but it's also really worth it."

The Lady Cavendish Award for the Horticultural Marquee went to Abi and Tom Attwodd's Garden Plants at Halecat - a display which included more than 60 different types of flowers.

Lucy Cavendish was delighted to welcome everyone into her family's own garden for the festival.

She said: "It's fantastic and wonderful. We are lucky enough to be able to share it with everyone. The horticulture marquee is at the heart of this festival and I love the atmosphere in there.

"The festival has not lost its roots but it has grown a few more.

"We depend on the local community as much as they depend on us - it's a symbiotic relationship."