Colourful blooms surrounded volunteers at Kew Gardens this week as preparations began for the world heritage site's annual orchid festival.

Your Local Guardian:

A sea of colour and unique shaped flowers will fill the Princess of Wales Conservatory for the month-long celebration which will allow visitors to discover why the plants evolved to become so vibrant and diverse.

The orchid festival runs from February 7 to March 8 and three evenings will feature a cocktail bar, botanical talks, music and crafts while the glasshouses is lit up.

For more information, visit kew.org.