Sloane Square bursts into bloom

Shops around Sloane Square were springing into colourful life today for a week of floral art running alongside the Chelsea Flower Show.

Boutiques including Cartier, Jimmy Choo and Tiffany and Co were cultivating elaborate displays in a bid to win Sloane in Bloom.

One contender is a girl with flowing tresses made out of jasmine, at new Sloane Street jeweller Leblas.

Co-owner Arabel Lebrusan said: "People have been stopping and sniffing her hair."

A pair of giant size-60 stiletto heels topped with white roses and peonies stood outside LK Bennett's King's Road shop.

Perfumer Jo Malone is hoping to make it three wins in a row with its two six-foot bath-oil decanters made of roses and hydrangeas.

A record 30 shops in the Sloane Shopping Area — stretching from Knightsbridge to Duke of York Square — are taking part, including Laura Ashley, Liz Earle, Peter Jones, Maria Grachvogel, Bulgari and Hermès.

Royal Horticultural Society judges will inspect the displays tomorrow, with the winner will be announced on Friday.