A VILLAGE garden show has come to an end after 100 years.

The Marsden Gardens and Allotments Association is expected to disband in January.

The annual show, held at the Parochial Hall last weekend, was the last, according to secretary David Morrison - even though entries and visitor numbers were up.

Mr Morrison blames the downturn of interest in the association on a lack of allotments and people doing less gardening.

He said: "In the mid 1980s we had almost 200 members and now we have just 26.

"It has got to the point where we need to wind things up.

"It is so sad that a group with such a history is to be lost, but we cannot continue in this manner.

"There must be people out there in the village who could take things forward, but they have not come out of the woodwork. They have had every chance.

"There were many people at the show who said it would be sad if the show and the society do fold. But only one or two people have volunteered any help. So we have no option but to dismantle things.

"There will be an extraordinary AGM in January 2006.

"Unless a good few people come forward with help before then we won't be continuing."