CUMBRIA Tourist Board is quick to praise a festival that has, in 12 years, become one of the most successful events in the county's calendar. Visitor numbers have increased annually, giving the local economy a fantastic boost, it says.

Last year's event was bigger and better than ever with 8,500 people arriving on the first day alone. One reviewer described it as "better than Chelsea".

"The impressive array of stands and horticultural displays have proved a magnet for thousands of green-fingered visitors from both within the county and beyond," enthused CTB.

"The national award-winning gardens of Lord and Lady Cavendish are classed amongst the best in the world' by the Good Gardens Guide and include water features and rare plants and shrubs."

Celebrities Kim Wilde, who designs her own garden for the event, plus chef Clarissa Dickson Wright have become regular fixtures at the festival each June. There are also hundreds of trade stands offering gardening products, country clothing, wines, handcrafted and personal design items.

The tourist board said it was not just Holker Hall that felt the benefits of this popularity. Guest houses and hotels in nearby Cartmel and Grange-over-Sands are often booked up for months in advance, while other visitors choose to stay throughout the Lake District.

The gardening enthusiasts who travel from all over the country also spend money eating out and visiting other attractions.

Chief executive of CTB, Chris Collier, said: "High-quality events like the Holker Garden Festival are key to today's tourism product. It's not just Holker that benefits from this success. It's the whole of the South Lakeland area. Local hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, pubs, cafes and other attractions all enjoy increased custom during the three-day festival - so everyone is a winner.

"It is an indication of its quality that so many visitors to the festival come back year after year."