Final touches made for Mirfield’s sweet pea festival

The Yorkshire Sweet Pea Championships attracts challengers from across the north of England to compete in more than 30 classes and show off their beautifully-coloured blooms.

The competition will also have a class for local schools.

Members of the National Sweet Pea Society donated the plants in April and they have been grown by the pupils.

The event will include a tombola, craft stalls and merchandise from the society.

Doors open from 10.30am but visitors are encouraged to walk around the town to see all the entries in the festival’s best decorated shop front competition.

Organisers hope the festival will draw visitors into the town centre and boost trade.

Society secretary Darren Myers said: “We are expecting a record number of entries this year.

“People can expect to see a real sight of colour when they visit the church and even with the Tour De France on, we hope people can come down to spend some time with us.”

The free event takes place at St Paul’s Church in Newgate tomorrow.