Jungle Book is the king of Battle floats

The float, which was largely made out of home-grown asters and marigolds, was entered by experienced North Show entrants The Northern Warriors.

One member, Ian Lewis, has been taking part since the 1970s. He said they had decided to do a Jungle Book-themed float because it was the 50th anniversary of the Disney film.

‘We started sowing in March [for the flowers] and then building the float in June,’ he said.

‘We have been sticking flowers since Tuesday, so we only had three days.’

A team of around a dozen friends and family put in long days to get the float ready, which has an estimated 16,000 flowers.

Mr Lewis said he would never be tempted to make a paper flower float.

‘It might be easier to do paper flowers, because this is so last minute,’ he said.

‘But I hate making paper flowers. I’m much happier hoeing flowers than making them.’

The Prix d’Honneur runner up was the Harris family’s, When You Wish Upon A Star.

Ness Harris has been working hard across four floats and trailers, as well as a van decorated as a Mario kart.

This was her first year doing a real flower trailer.

The star collapsed the night before, but was secured back in place with silver wires for the show.

‘We were gluing until midnight, but it was enjoyable stress,’ she said.

There were more than 100 entries in this year’s Battle.

Battle co-ordinator Emma Sarre said she was really pleased with how it had gone.

‘We’ve had more entries than last year and we’ve also had more real flower entries, even though they have been smaller ones.’

The sun shone throughout the afternoon and Mrs Sarre said she was relieved wet weather did not ruin everyone’s hard work.

The Prix de Papier went to London Sights, by the Torode, Ogier, De Garis and Naftel families.

The Junior Prix de Papier went to the Evans, Goddard, Jarvis and Carre families for their entry, Watch With Mother, while the junior Prix d’Honneur went to Chinese Takeout, by Teo and Elise Bergey.