LEGENDARY author Alfred Wainwright is to be honoured by an entry in this year's Tatton Park Flower Show.

The Blackburn hiker, famous for painstakingly producing his hand-written and hand-drawn Pictoral Guides to the Lakeland Fells, is the theme for Blackburn with Darwen Council's show entry.

The 7.5m by 4m garden will be designed to reflect the Lakeland landscape, and will be decorated with Wainwright's trademark pipe and walking boots.

Mr Wainwright, who died in 1991, was born in Blackburn in 1907 and worked with the town's borough council as an accountant.

He began what he called his "love affair" with the Lake District in 1930, after saving up for a week's walking holiday there with his cousin.

The council's garden will be titled "Wainwright's Love Affair" in reference to the story.

In 1941, Wainwright moved to Kendal, where he wrote his books, but retained his links with Blackburn, and was one of the founder members of Blackburn Rovers Supporters' Club.

Coun Michael Law-Riding, the council's executive member for leisure and culture, said: "This is an excellent tribute for the borough and I wish this year's entry every success.

"With more and more local authorities eager to be involved in the competition, we're seeing a new level of creativity in the flower bed designs.

"We were particularly looking forward to seeing our Green Spaces team return to the show with an original arrangement that enhances the reputation of the civic parks and gardens in our area and helps boost local pride."

The Tatton Park Flower Show will be held at Tatton Park, near Knutsford, Cheshire, from July 23 to 27.