THOUSANDS of visitors passed through the doors of Castle Howard during its flower festival at the weekend.

Members of local flower clubs worked alongside the stately home's own florist and garden team to fill the house with a collection of colourful blooms.

Visitors were treated to stunning displays of fresh flowers, foliage, carnivorous plants and faux flowers enhancing each room. Highlights included the Antique Passage lined with silver birch trees, an intricate cottage garden overflowing with English favourites and a showcase of individual arrangements in a host of styles adorning every surface in the Long Gallery.

Katie Collin, events manager, said more than 6,200 people had visited the four-day flower festival, which started on Thursday.

This year’s extended festival has proved extremely popular and was bolstered by the excellent weather which allowed visitors to take full advantage of both the displays inside and the wonderful blooms outside.

"Everyone involved in creating the beautiful displays has worked tirelessly to bring the festival together and I want to say a big thank you to the local flower clubs involved as well as our own gardens team and florist. We’re already looking at how to make next year’s festival bigger and better," she said.