THE stork's arrival almost disrupted the opening of Brierfield and Reedley Horticultural Society's 71st show!

Its chairman John Burgess faced an emergency at Walter Street School, Brierfield, the venue for the show, when the school's pet gerbil gave birth.

"We were setting up our trestles and displays when my granddaughter said the gerbil was having babies. The headmistress suggested we move the cage to another classroom as the noise and bustle of the crowd might unsettle mum and she would abandon her young.

"So we moved the family but I believe quite a few people went in for a peep at them!"

Birth notwithstanding, the two-day show was a success with some splendid exhibits, including six-foot leeks and onions 6ins in diameter.

More than £350 in prize money was on offer and more than 50 trophies and shields were awarded.

President John Reynoldson displayed postcard memorabilia which he collected for the society's 70th show last year.

Plants were sold to raise money for the society which opens its stores at Bent End every weekend.

Mr Burgess said: "Thanks go to everyone involved and the school for use of the building."

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