HATS off to a bunch of hard-working Preston folk who are bloomin' good at putting on a fine floral display.

From Saturday until Thursday, June 29, St George's Church in Preston town centre, will be brimming with elegant foliage hats created by two of the country's best designers.

It is all part of the church's Flower Festival 2000 to celebrate the restoration and redevelopment of the building off Lune Street, Preston.

Scores of people have united to organise the 'Feather In Our Cap' section for the special one-off event.

Students at Myrescough College, near Preston, have designed many of the colourful creations and several have been donated from prominent people up and down the country including the Prime Minister's wife Cherie Blair, who has handed over a brown feathered number.

And with summer in full bloom the church will be decked with bundles of sweet smelling flowers created by Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winners Ann Coulton and Gillian Slater.

A huge array of gorgeous blooms will grace the aisles alongside gracefully draped costumes from the Art and Design department at the University of Central Lancashire.

On Sunday (June 25) the six-strong Avenham Singers will be giving visitors a good helping of heavenly music from 3-4pm -- the place they gave their first performance nearly 30 years ago. Other musical recitals during the festival will come from pupils from Ribbleton High School and Fulwood High School, both in Preston, as well as students from the town's Cardinal Newman College.

Parish vicar of St George's and St John's, canon Martyn Griffiths, said: "This festival of exotic and unusual floral designs and hats should, we hope, be a great crowd puller. It deserves to be.

"It will hopefully help us in the engaging task of restoring St John's Parish Church now that work has been completed on St George's.

"I am are very grateful to all the people from within and out of the congregation who have helped us with this extravaganza."

The St George's Flower Festival 2000 is open from 10am to 6pm every day. Admission by programme is £2.50 and refreshments will be available.

For further details call St George's Church on (01772) 491335.

Pictured: Josephine Ratcliff and Judith Argall model some of the items on show at Flower Festival 2000 at St George's Church next week, including a donation from the PM's wife Cherie Blair, the stylish feathered number with a silk band, pictured in the foreground