Ely Cathedral is starting to bloom for summer festival

'Kaleidoscope of Life' Credit: Keith Heppel

Ely's annual Flower Festival starts on Thursday and the Cathedral is already blooming as 100 displays take shape.

This year the Festival is themed 'Kaleidoscope of Life'.

It opens on Thursday 21 June and is expected to be one of the region's largest events.

More than 50,000 blooms are being used to create 100 exhibits with the help of flower experts from across the East.

Highlights will include a central water feature, a floral arch the length of the Nave and an 8 metre wide 'kaleidoscope' of flowers positioned directly under Ely's Octagon tower.

Bursting with life Credit: Keith Heppel

There's also a life size steel sculpture of a horse by British artist, Tom Hiscocks, to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Getting ready for the opening Credit: Keith Heppel

Throughout the four day event there will be musical performances, talks and demonstrations by floral experts, food & drink and a Gift & Craft Marquee in the Cathedral grounds.