ENTHUSIASTS have just a few days left to get entries in for a gardening show.

The Dorchester Agricultural Society Spring Show will be held at Sunninghill School Hall on Sunday, April 2.

As well as horticultural classes, there will also be photography, cookery and decorative flower arranging classes.

Organisers are hoping for a bumper level of entries this year.

Tony McDougal one of the organisers said: "Being a spring show we are hosting 34 daffodil classes, as well as pansies and tulip classes.

"We are really looking forward to it and hoping for a strong turn out.

"The closing date for entries is Monday, March 27."

As reported in the Echo, cacti and succulent enthusiasts will have the first opportunity in decades to exhibit their favourite plants as the British Cactus and Succulent Society (BCSS) is sponsoring a range of classes at the show.

David Ennals, Dorchester Agricultural Society committee member, said it was the first time the BCSS had supported an event in the county since the demise of the Boscombe and Poole branch in 1988.

Mr Ennals said he was delighted with the sponsorship, which includes prize money, cards and medals for the best cactus and succulent at the spring show.

As a BCSS member, Mr Ennals started collecting at the age of 14 and now has nearly 500 plants. He said cultivation of the plants was relatively easy as long as a few simple rules were followed.

"At this time of year, I keep them in the greenhouse ensuring the temperature remains at 5C. They need to be kept bone dry from November to the beginning of April. The flowering season starts in April and May and they should be watered every two to three weeks.

"Ideally, if kept in the house, they should be placed in a south-facing window to ensure they get maximum light."

"We want to encourage people to enter, even if they have not shown before and there are two classes for junior as well. Entries in all the cacti and succulent classes are free and I'll be on hand to provide help and advice if exhibitors are unsure in which class to enter their plants."

Admittance to the public is free. Doors are open from 2pm to 4pm to view the plants and refreshments will be available.