Stretching back to 1852 and the foundation of its parent organisation – the Selkirk Horticulutral and Allotment Association – the show will this year be held on Sunday, August 31, in the town's Victoria Halls.

But that unbroken historical link is under threat and if more ways of generating cash are not found, this year's show could be the last, according to society secretary Joy Black.

Speaking to The Wee Paper this week, Joy explained the problem.

"What we are really needing is sponsorship," she said. "And we're also thinking of holding a door-to-door collection in the town in the run up to the show to try to raise some extra funds."

One of the causes of dwindling society funds is that traditional flower shows such as Selkirk are now competing against other flower-selling attractions such as market traders and car boot sales.

"When the show started, there were no other flower-selling events and it remained like that for many years," Joy added. "We still get plenty of entries, but struggle to attract enough visitors through the doors to ensure adequate sums of money are generated. We have enough in the society's funds to ensure this year's show in August goes ahead, but after that, if we don't find a solution, that could well be the end of it."

Another problem was that in recent years, Selkirk Rugby Club had switched its annual sevens tournament to the same Sunday as that traditionally occupied by the flower show.

Joy continued: "That affected the number of folk attending the show pretty badly. But last year, the sevens were moved to the weekend before the show and it's the same this year so at least we are not up against as popular an event as the rugby sevens.

"But the society and the show costs about £1,000 every year to run and that's why we desperately need to find more sources of funding."