Packington Village Show celebrated its 80th anniversary on Saturday - with a call for more young gardeners to come forward and keep the event going.

The show has its roots in the Second World War , when the original aim was to provide clothes and gifts to the returning armed forces.

Nowadays, it features people - not just those from Packington - entering their vegetables, baking, photography and craft exhibits.

The money raised at the event is then shared among 10 local charities.

But the organisers are now encouraging younger, green-fingered, people to get involved and make sure the show marks a 90th and 100th anniversary in its present form.

However, the history of the event meant that Saturday was a milestone event for the village.

Mike Powell, chairman of the Packington Horticultural Society, told Ashby Nub News: "It started all those years ago in the middle of the war, for the returning soldiers.

"It used to happen at the Bull & Lion pub. But over the years, it's changed to the Packington Memorial Hall and with us supporting local societies - it's very much a charitable event.

"We raise money from people bringing in their produce and it was auctioned off in the evening. But we also had a hamper and a round of golf donated to us by Willesley Golf Club."

Mike said the original show was not just about people growing their own food during wartime.

Bob and Brian Parry have a strong family link to the show's origins

He added: "There was also the clothing as well, which was sent to the soldiers.

"There is a real longevity to the event, people have been connected to it for years and it passes on through the generations. It's a big thing for the village."

The show was expected to attract up to 2,000 people over the whole day.

Committee members Bob and Brian Parry have a direct link to the early days of the event.

Their grandfather Alf was on of the founder members at a time when more people had allotments and grew produce at home.

Brian recalled: "I remember it when growing up in the 1960s, and there used to be a bit of rivalry and competition about it.

"That side of it is dying a little now which is a shame.

"But it goes all the way back to my grandfather Alf, that's where it all stemmed from."

Bob is a former chairman of the PHS, but is still involved in organising the event.

He said: "I've been part of it for about 20 years now. I was on the committee and then chairman for 11 years.

"We have winners in the show which they get a trophy for, which we keep here.

"But it's a proper competition, and we had judging in the afternoon. We also awarded a Banksian Medal, which is our top prize for someone who gets the most points on the day.

"Not many shows have that, we're probably one of the only ones around here. The Royal Horticultural Society has to approve that, and it helps that we have been going for 80 years."

There were craft exhbits on show as well at Packington Memorial Hall

But the people behind the event are aware that it needs fresh faces to keep it going.

Bob added: "Over the years of course, the old boys aren't here any more.

"So we're looking for younger ones to come through and keep it going.

"We could get to a point where nobody's bringing any veg in. But you don't have to be from the village to take part.

"It used to be a closed shop. But it's not like that now. Anybody locally who wants to be in the show, can be.

"But local people around here all do their bit. If we continue to be well supported, then we'll carry on."

Committee member, Amy Powell, says the show already has promising young gardeners who exhibit at the show.

She said: "They're the up and coming gardeners, the ones we want to encourage to be part of the event."

Anyone who wants to become involved in future can go to the show's website HERE or the Packington Show Facebook page.