Bahrain International Garden Show (BIGS), one of the kingdom's biggest events, has been postponed because of the country's unrest.

Thousands of visitors were expected to attend this weekend's annual event.

Organisers yesterday confirmed the three-day event would be rescheduled and were working on new dates that would be announced soon.

'We have reassurance from the majority of our exhibitors that they are committed with us and will participate and are just waiting for us to come back to them with the new dates,' BIGS general co-ordinator Shaikha Maram bint Isa Al Khalifa told our sister newspaper Gulf Daily News (GDN).

'It's not the only event that has been postponed but it is one of the biggest.

'But we feel it's to everyone's benefit, the exhibitors, visitors and participants, that we don't have it this week because it will give them a better chance to enjoy it when they can be more relaxed.'

Last year the three-day event attracted 25,000 visitors and organisers were hoping this year's event would be the same.

The event takes place under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad and support of his wife Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC).

BIGS 2011 is held under the theme Inspiring Agricultural Sustainability and features exhibits, garden displays, lectures, demonstrations and publications.

Hall One will be turned into a marketplace and showcase a variety of products and services relating to gardening and landscaping and Hall Two converted into gardens to celebrate talents of new designers.

A total of 89 exhibitors from Bahrain, Middle East, Asia and Europe are expected to participate in the event, which also includes workshops that target vital sectors concerned with agriculture.

The event also features the 47th Annual Amateur Flower and Vegetable Competition, organised by the Bahrain Garden Club (BGC).

Competitions categories cover flower arrangements for schools and individuals, garden photography for amateur and professional photographers and gardens, among others.-TradeArabia News Service