A NEW growing event is set to be launched in the town.

The Friends of St Augustine's Church is introducing Grow, Show and Share as an idea to celebrate all that is grown and made in Penarth to prove it is "the garden by the sea."

They want the community to come together and enjoy growing things and hope to make it an annual event in the future.

Diana Mead, who was chairman of Penarth Horticultural Society when it had to close in 2012 because of a lack of new members, said the new idea has got her excited saying "it's exactly what Penarth needs".

Fruit, flowers and vegetables can be grown individually or together and pictures, photos or poems can be entered too as long as they are on the theme of growing.

Competitions will include photography, sunflower, miniature gardens and 60-second videos of anything growing in Penarth.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 19, between 11am and 5pm and Sunday, September 20, between 12pm and 4.15pm at St Augustine's Church.

Organisers say: "If you like the Christmas Tree Festival you will certainly like this."

Anyone can take part but children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Prizes include gold, silver and bronze certificates for adults and certificates and winners' badges for children.

The event will be opened by Cardiff RHS show gold medallist Victoria Wade.

There will be no formal judging and the broad categories will be voted on by the public.

Winners will be announced at 5pm on the Sunday just before a short family service.

Andrew Davidson, a committee member of the friends, believes the event will fill a gap and "provide a wonderful opportunity to show the world that Penarth is somewhere people grow fantastic vegetables, fruit and flowers and are exceptionally creative." He added that he loved the old horticultural show and wanted to recreate a spirit of excitement and pride for a new generation.

Entry for visitors will be £3 with children under 16 going free. Proceeds of the raffle and from the sale of donated produce will go towards Ty Hafan.

The group's website is www.friendsofstaugustines.org

For further details contact Tricia Griffiths at triciagriffiths65@yahoo.co.uk or on 02920707828.