Who will be the flower superpower? The floral world cup kicks off in Manchester

Competitors from twenty countries have descended on Manchester for a much anticipated World Cup championship – with a fifteen thousand pound top prize up for grabs. But don’t expect an international sporting event to be taking place – this contest is all about flowers.

The Interflora World Cup will pitch teams from the floristry elite against each other – and as our culture correspondent Minnie Stephenson has been finding out – a simple bouquet of roses just won’t cut it.