Scarborough Flower Club members Alison Fenton and Julie Godfrey will be the first people from the club to exhibit at the prestigious event, which starts next Tuesday.

During the contest they will have to construct a 6ft by 4ft display overnight which will be judged the following morning. The theme for the display is Treasures of the Garden.

Mrs Fenton, who has been flower arranging since the age of five, said: "I can't believe how quickly it's come around. We're excited but a bit nervous too. It will be the biggest show I've ever done and definitely the most prestigious."

The pair are planning to use gold-coloured flowers such as sunflowers and golden lilies as this year is the 50th anniversary of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies.

Mrs Godfrey, who runs April florist in St Thomas Street, said: "We've done a couple of practise runs at Manor Road Nurseries. We've got the basic idea sorted so we're just tweaking it now."

The pair will take their own containers, flowers and foliage with them and will construct the display in around five hours.

Mrs Godfrey added: "We want to do well for the club – if we could get a medal that would be great."

They will travel to the event on May 20 and the display will be on show from May 21 to 23.