THE Three Counties Agricultural Society has unveiled plans for the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2014.

Formerly known as The Malvern Spring Gardening Show, this year’s event will take on a new dimension for both gardening and food alike.

For the first year ever, the show is to be renamed RHS Malvern - solidifying the strong connections between the Malvern Show and the Royal Horticultural Society.

RHS Malvern is the first big gardening show of the season and over the past few years has become renowned for showcasing the hottest new trends in garden design and planting.

Also new for the 2014 show is the introduction of a food festival. A grand food and drink pavilion located in the heart of the showground will be filled with a variety of food producers and chefs, including BBC Saturday Kitchen’s James Martin, who will be conducting demonstrations during the weekend.

Alongside this will be a food court offering a range of artisan food and drink from regional, national and international producers.

CEO Ken Nottage, from the Three Counties Agricultural Society, said: “We are delighted to be strengthening our relationship with the RHS, as a key event in its portfolio of shows. The RHS leads the way when it comes to showcasing world-class garden design and planting, so renaming the show RHS Malvern is an honour which recognises its reputation for show gardens and floral displays, known for their outstanding quality and charm.”

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival will take place from Thursday May 8 until Sunday May 11.