Skipton Gardeners' Club's annual show promises to be a prestigious affair this year as the group celebrates its silver anniversary.

An inaugural meeting about forming the popular club was held in Skipton Town Hall in 1977 initiated by Alec Gill, town council clerk, and town councillor Ron Hollings.

The club was eventually formed in 1978 at Broughton Road Youth Club and was known as Skipton and District Allotment Holders' Association.

In 1980 the name was altered to Skipton Gardeners' Club to cover the wider aspects of gardening, and Mr Fattorini of Skipton Castle was the first club president from 1979 to 1983.

Mr Hollings took over the role in 1983 and is still in post.

Membership in the 1980s was in excess of 200 but in more recent years it has tailed off to about 50.

However there are regular visitors to monthly meetings when talks are given by different speakers, they enjoy summer coach trips and the club is still making its mark on Skipton.

To celebrate the millennium, Skipton Gardeners' Club was granted permission to plant the first walnut tree in Skipton Woods - it is still the only one there.

And to mark the launch of a joint gardening venture between Skipton, Embsay, Grassington and Addingham, the group invited TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh to Skipton as guest speaker.

His popular presentation was a sellout success, and he was followed two years later by Roy Lancaster, another well-known broadcaster and television personality.

The 25th anniversary show will be held on Sunday in Skipton Town Hall between 2pm and 4.30pm, with prizes presented at 4pm by town mayor Paul English.

In addition to the display of vegetables, flowers and produce, there will be a pictorial exhibition depicting the club over its 25 years.

To commemorate the anniversary there will be a one-off special award this year for the winner of the Master Gardener's Class. There will also be a tombola and refreshments for visitors.

There is still time for gardeners to enter the show by contacting Rex Geldard, show secretary, on 01756 793550, entries to be staged between 8am and 10.45am on the day.