TAUNTON Flower Show got off to a scorching start for its 193rd year, with revellers enjoying shows featuring "extreme" bike stunts, birds of prey, bees, and sheepdogs.

Thousands turned out on August 2 and 3 for a stroll through Europe's oldest flower show, and the weather didn't disappoint.

Kicking off the show's performances in the main arena was K&H Falconry, whose act got off to an unexpected start when its star Falcon flew off and refused to return to its trainer.

Much to the audience's amusement, it was discovered that the falcon was rebelling with a relaxing perch on the roof of a nearby retirement home, rather than performing for the crowds.

Thankfully, a younger bird seemed happy to step in and wowed spectators with several dramatic swoops and dives to catch its "prey".

Next up, David Seamark, a sheep and arable farmer, showcased how he controls his flock of 600 breeding ewes using only a whistle and his working sheepdogs — plus a puppy still learning on the job.

Later, the Extreme Bike Battle team had the crowd on the edge of their seats as they performed nailbiting jumps, wheelies, backflips, and 360s from ramps mounted to the roof of their van.

This was followed by a powerful performance by Taunton's Rock Choir, part of a contemporary choir organisation with Somerset groups in Taunton, Bridgwater, Burnham, Weston, and Clevedon.

In the Floral Marquee, a talk by Masterchef judge and Telegraph food critic William Sitwell was very well attended. He answered the question he gets most, "Is the food cold on Masterchef?" (No, but sometimes yes.)

Speaking to the County Gazette, the TV judge, who is local to Wiveliscombe, added: "The Taunton Flower Show is huge, it's unbelievable. I didn't realise it was such a massive event, it's very impressive."

Notably, at one end of the floral marquee was Monkton Elm's gold-winning large castle garden, with a path through the 'drawbridge', a water feature, and a lifesize knight guarding the door.

In the competition tent, eleven different divisions were on show, including flowers, fruit, and vegetables; cookery, preservatives and craftwork, and textile art; fine art; photography; floral art and floristry; groups and young people; and wine.

More than 50 cups and prize money will be presented to the winners at the Prize Giving Ceremony at 3.30pm on Saturday, August 3.

Near the main arena, food and drink stalls, including Bakes By Becca proved incredibly popular. Becca, from Taunton, was celebrating her 24th birthday whilst selling a delicious range of brownies from her converted horsebox.

Also very worth visiting was The Crumpeteers, a Somerset-based "vintage mobile tea van serving hot buttered crumpets and tea".

Cycling around Vivary Park on her custom piano bike (a piano mounted on a bike) was Chloe Marie Aston from North Devon, who performed later in the day.

In the Plant Village, Angie Blackwell, owner of Cottage Flowers from Jordan's Courtyard in Ilminster, said: "We've been really busy today, and there's such a great diversity of people that come to the flower show. 

"It's great to be in the plant village this year, and we've brought plants as well as dried and fresh flowers today as people don't always want to buy flowers at a flower show!

"However, we have sold a lot of sweet peas, and we keep them fresh for people to collect on the way out."

Speaking to punters about their day, one said: "It's been an absolutely lovely day, there's so much to see that's so interesting. This is the first time I've been in 16 years and I'm glad I did."

One visitor said they'd seen it busier with more variety of stalls in previous years. However, the overwhelming consensus was very positive.

Amy, Jane, and Clare Middleton, who were enjoying a family outing, said: "We've had a really lovely day out." 

Another added: "There's so much more to it than just flowers."