JUST around the corner and rapidly approaching is the ever popular RHS Malvern Spring Festival on of the highllights of the garden calendar in this country.

And children who are under 16 will receive free entry to the festival on all four days in early May at the spectacularly sited Three Counties Showground.

Over the course of the action-packed family weekend children can delve into the world of gardening and embrace the great outdoors, with a big emphasis on fun.  There’s plenty for them to enjoy – especially over the inter-active Family Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13.

Head of RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Diana Walton, said: “We’re passionate about engaging the next generation of gardening enthusiasts and nurturing young talent. With a wide range of activities lined up including hands on workshops, live entertainment and interactive story-telling, Family Weekend promises to have something for everyone.” 

Some of the highlights for budding horticulturists and outdoor enthusiasts will be able to enjoy include:

CELEBRATING BLUE PETER FEATURE GARDEN - Marking an outstanding 60 years of broadcasting with more than 5,000 episodes, this feature garden is a homage to the children’s television show, packed with plenty of pieces ‘we made earlier’.

Designed by one of Blue Peter’s former gardeners, Chris Collins, the colourful garden will take mums and dads back to a simpler time of life, when the highlight of the day was teatime and settling down to watch your favourite programme on TV.

Former Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton will be at the show on the opening day, Thursday, May 10, and will visit the garden to take a trip down memory lane. 

SCHOOL GARDEN CHALLENGE - Every year groups of school children learn about much more than gardening as they work in teams on the School Garden Challenge. This year the garden designs theme is Great Britain. Families can chat to pupils from 14 schools to uncover the inspiration for their gardens. Schools from Bromsgrove and Redditch have displayed and won prizes in this area of the show in recent years.

NEW BOOK HUB - More than just a bookshop, this new area brings families face-to-face with authors as they share tales from their latest books. Saturday and Sunday brings a family focus with a range of authors aimed at entertaining youngsters.

CHILDREN’S GREAT EXHIBITION - Little ones will love to explore this exhibition area with hands-on activities to keep them entertained including a family workshop to create a Great Exhibition sculpture and there will be lots to see in the children’s art competition.

The world of science will also be brought alive for families to explore as they uncover cutting edge Victorian technology with Cheltenham Science Group.

FUN FACTS TRAIL - Here there’s plenty for little ones to learn from a host of experts - Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s stand will show-off just how easy it is to go wild in the garden, a window box or even roadside verge by promising to Pledge a Patch.

They’ll help families get started by planting a patch at the festival, making a bug hotel or pine-cone bird feeder, they’ll also dish out tips on how to design a mini-meadow.  The Worcestershire Beekeepers will be on hand to show the inner workings of a hive, with live bees to see and local honey to buy.

Cultivating Learning and Nature Community Interest Group will whirl up young imaginations with spinning, weaving and hands-on wool activities to join in with.

Families can also have a go at willow weaving in the Eco, Green & Growing (EGG) area.

And last but not least, the much-loved Mr Alexander returns for his popular one-man travelling show. Families will love his unique and captivating blend of magic, juggling, unicycling, balance and illusion.

Tickets are now on sale for the Spring Festival, which takes place from Thursday, May 10 until Sunday, May 13. Free entry for children under the age of 16 is available throughout the festival.

For more information on ticket prices, please call 0844 811 0050 (calls cost 7p per minute plus network extras) or visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk.