Bad weather that caused parking problems is a factor in the decision to move one of South East Cornwall’s biggest annual events away from its longstanding venue.

The Trustees of the Cornwall Garden Society have announced a new venue for the 2019 Spring Flower Show as well as a new look and a new team to lead it, following a comprehensive review.

The Show, known as ‘the Chelsea of the South West’, will be held at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge on April 6 and 7, 2019.

CGS chair Sir Robert Owen said: ‘Although this year’s Spring Flower Show was successful in many ways, the problems we experienced with car parking due to the exceptionally wet winter and heavy rain on the preceding Friday night adversely affected attendance and the charity’s income.

‘At the Royal Cornwall Showground, we will not be so weather dependent and there will be ample parking on hard standing.

‘As importantly, having use of the Exhibition Hall and Show Ring will provide us with an exciting opportunity to rethink the Show whilst preserving its distinctive and popular features.’

He said: ‘While the trustees were mindful of the unique qualities and glorious setting of Boconnoc – the show’s venue for many years – and are immensely grateful to the Fortescue family for allowing the CGS to stage it there, we have reached the unanimous conclusion that it is the right time to move on.’

The Trustees have appointed former CGS chairman Andrew Leslie to the role of show committee chairman and Dickie Trant as its show director.

The CGS is a charity that exists to encourage and improve the science, art and practice of horticulture in all its branches; share knowledge about gardening and Cornwall’s rich garden heritage, and conserve the county’s natural environment.