The organisers of the Isle of Man Flower Festival have revealed the theme for this year’s event: Charity Is …

The popular festival takes place in its regular slot of National Week, from July 2-July 8.

Organising committee chairman Judy Matthews said: ‘After a lot of thought, we chose the theme of Charity Is … to give participants a lot of flexibility to put their own interpretation on their displays.

‘We are looking forward to this year’s festival, which we hope will once more see thousands of visitors – from both on and off the Island – take a look around the venues across the Island.

‘There will be plenty of events staged to tie in with the festival and we have one or two new ideas for 2017. More will be revealed as the festival draws closer!’

There are 11 venues participating this year. They are: The Cathedral Isle of Man, Peel; Ballaugh Old Church; Jurby Church; St Andrew’s, Kirk Andreas; Ramsey Baptist Church at Mountain View Innovation Centre; Onchan Elim Pentecostal Church; St Peter's Church, Onchan; The Abbey Church, Ballasalla; Old Grammar School, Castletown (Manx National Heritage); Ballabeg Methodist Chapel; St Peter's Church, Cregneash.

The festival, supported by Culture Vannin and the Isle of Man Community Foundation, has become a firm fixture in the summer calendar.

Last year’s event, on the theme of Supporting Achievement, saw a variety of innovative displays across the Island. At its official launch, Geoff Corkish of Culture Vannin commented on the international interest in the festival, which he said ‘puts the Isle of Man on the map’.

To keep up to date, visit the festival page on Facebook or go to www.flowerfest.im

Flower Power: Annette Briercliffe’s winning entry from last year’s photographic competition captures the colour of the Flower Festival.