VAN Gogh's sunflowers and Monet's water lilies may be the most famous horticultural works of art but it's the exhibits at this year's Southport Flower Show that will inspire gardeners and artists this summer.

Flowers that have stirred both old masters and contemporary artists will be on display at the annual show which runs from August 16-18.

Fine art is the theme for the UK's largest independent flower show to be at the resort's 34-acre Victoria Park where more than 120,000 people are expected to attend the event which will boast a celebrity line-up including Kids in America chart topper, Kim Wilde.

The show boasts the biggest competitive section with nearly 400 classes, more than 80 exhibits in the Grand Floral Marquee and full-size landscape gardens in four categories.

A myriad of floral colours and horticultural exhibits with some of the rarest plants in the world will be on show with more than 300 trade stands.

Hundreds of craft items are also on display in the largest craft marquee in the North and this year will also see a specialist food marquee and a show within a show in the form of the Mature Lifestyle Exhibition.

Tickets are £8.50 for adults in advance or £11 on the day, concessions are available for pensioners, registered disabled and young people, while the under 12s are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available from Tourist Information Centres, or call Ticketmaster on 0870 4444226.