AN ancient Colchester show has been saved.

The Colchester Rose and Horticultural Show, which was first organised 175 years ago, was in doubt because of rising costs of putting it on.

But the organisers of the Colchester Food and Drink Festival have weighed in and vowed to make it bigger and better.

Don Quinn, who runs the food and drink festival, first helped with the Rose Show eight years ago.

He said: “The show costs us over £1,000 each year for the marquee and all the infrastructure.

“This year it was clear that it would cost more and the Rose Show organisers had no funds.

“We just did not want to see this great Colchester tradition die.

“So we dug deep into our pockets and increased our contribution to meet the additional costs.

“After all, roses have been part of Colchester’s life for hundreds of years.”

The Rose Show is made up of rose and oyster stalls as well as floral competition entries, which are judged by experts.

Both shows will take place side by side on June 28 and 29, in Lower Castle Park, in Colchester.

For more details, go to foodanddrinkfestivalsuk.co.uk.