THE "hottest summer show on record" was staged by Westmorland Horticultural Society on a baking Sunday afternoon.

Kendal's Parish Hall was "ablaze with colour and fragrance", said secretary Linda Carlisle. Overall entries were "good" and the quality described as "out of this world".

The 26th Summer Flower Show attracted exhibitors from as far afield as Blackpool, Chorley, Bolton, Northallerton, Sedbergh, Milnthorpe, Penrith and Bolton-le-Sands, as well as Kendal.

A steady flower of visitors enjoyed the fragrant scents, glorious blooms and light refreshments, most welcome in the heat. Long-time exhibitor Kevin Preston of Burton-in-Kendal scooped the best in show prize with his six-vase class of sweet peas.

Cups and trophies.

Westmorland & N Lancs Federation Blue Ribbon & Lakeland Rose Show Cup, best in show: Kevin Preston, Burton-in-Kendal. Westmorland Horticultural Society Cup, best sweet peas: K. Preston. Hogarth Trophy, best roses: John Bell, Ulverston. Lamb Cup, best fuchsias: Rod Holmes, Kendal. Westmorland Horticultural Society Pelargonium Cup, best pelargonium: R. Holmes. Kendal Corporation Cup, best miscellaneous: Fred Barnes, Ulverston. Robinson Trophy, best floral art: Margaret Milburn, Sedbergh. Ball Cup, winner of class with most entries: Carole Tate, Chorley. Pattinson Vase, best children's exhibit: Charlotte Seymour-Price, Vicarage Park School. Brockbank Cup, best miniature garden: Jake Pearse, Kendal. Down Cup, best children's exhibit up to year 4: Rebecca Gibson, Vicarage Park School. Westmorland Horticultural Society Handwriting Cup, best handwriting: Tia Doherty, Vicarage Park School. Rawes Shield, best animal exhibit: Megan Aplin, Vicarage Park School. Wilkinson Shield, school with most points in classes SC1-SC13: Vicarage Park School. National Sweet Pea Society Bronze Medal, best vase sweet peas: K. Preston. Rose Society UK Bronze Medal, best specimen rose: F. Barnes. British Fuchsia Society Bronze Medal, best fuchsia: R. Holmes. British Fuchsia Society Rosette, best hanging pot or basket: R. Holmes. Pelargonium & Geranium Society Spoon, best pelargonium: R. Holmes.