THERE'S no doubting it's a beautiful building and now Winchester Cathedral has some added pizazz as its flower festival returns.

Three designers alongside more than 300 devoted volunteers have come together to install thousands of flowers - including 12 new species - in the medieval church.

At the launch on Tuesday Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville managed to sneak away from filming at Highclere Castle to officially open the five-day event, invited by the Dean of Winchester.

"I love this city and it's a great opportunity to see what the fantastic flower arrangers of Winchester have come up with," Mr Bonneville told the Chronicle.

"I get the feeling that it is quite surprising and a modern flower show, which is quite an exciting idea. I know I will be intoxicated by the smells as well as the colours."

Cascades is being staged by The Wessex and Jersey Area of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) and installations have been created by groups across Hampshire.

Under the helm of artistic director Hans Haverkamp, alongside designers Pauline Hurran and Bill Dixon, it features both contemporary and traditional designs.

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The team said they have never worked on an event this large and it has taken 15 months to organise.

Mr Haverkamp said: "I liken it to overthrowing a small country with an army of lovely ladies!

"It promotes friendship through flowers and that's the nicest thing about it."

Both he and Mr Dixon lost their brother-in-laws recently, and at the launch The Very Revd James Atwell said a special prayer and thanks for them.

The festival aims to build on the success of Symphony of Flowers, which drew 16,000 visitors in 2013.

The first festival was in 2003 and Simon Barwood, media and communications officer at the cathedral, said he hopes it will now become a regular feature event.

"The 2013 festival was very popular. It takes a couple of years to organise because we have so many volunteers. We are always looking for a fresh feel, we don't want to do the same thing every time."

Cascades runs from June 24-28.