IT is only three days until the launch of the Blenheim Palace Flower Show, which will be opened by an award-winning actor.

Sir Ian McKellen, who starred in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, will welcome in the show at Woodstock Palace on Friday ahead of its events, which run until Sunday 19.

The UNESCO World Heritage site forms the perfect backdrop for the event, which will see a record number of floral and garden exhibitors take part, as it is surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland and various gardens.

At the heart of the show will be a 20,000 square foot Grand Floral Pavilion featuring more than 30 floral displays and a large selection of flowers and plants.

The show will be also feature a selection of inspiring Show Gardens designed by some of the UK’s leading garden designers including a garden for the Blackbird Trust created by students.

There will even be the opportunity to learn all about home growing fruit and vegetables with a series of talks by organic gardening guru Robert Longstaff.

Mr Longstaff and his wife Yvonne work on a programme called the Oxford Garden Project, which teaches the skills needed to complete the cycle of food from plot to plate.

Visit blenheimflowershow.co.uk for more information or to buy tickets.