All set for the Royal County of Berkshire Show

More than 60,000 expected to attend district's biggest event this weekend

DARING motorcycle stunts, a Shetland pony grand national, a parade of 2,000 livestock and live cookery demonstrations will be just some of the entertainment on offer as the Royal County of Berkshire Show returns this weekend.

With the early weather forecasts of sunny spells giving some cause for optimism, organisers are expecting crowds in excess of 60,000 to flock to Newbury Showground over the two days.

For those planning on attending this year's show the advice is to leave early and not to use sat navs and instead follow the AA signs to the showground. Traffic around Newbury is expected to be particularly busy on Saturday - with Boundary Road closed and Madness performing at Newbury Racecourse.

Priors Court Road will also be closed from 6am to 8pm on both days of the show.

If you can't make it this year don't worry - the Newbury Weekly News team of reporters will be there all weekend bringing you the latest news, results and reaction straight from the showground.

Make sure you look at www.newburytoday.co.uk on the dayand remember to check our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.

This year world-famous quad bike stuntman the Kangaroo Kid (Matt Coulter) will thrill the crowds by performing daring wheelies, rolls and jumps in the main arena.

More than 2,000 animals, including cattle, 600 sheep, pigs and 200 goats, will compete for a place in the famous grand parade of livestock.

The 480 cattle due to arrive from all over the country will this year be settling into one large and spacious framed tent offering more comfortable conditions for the animals and easier public viewing.

Big screens have also been set up at the showground so sports fans don't miss any of the Rugby World Cup, which starts tomorrow (Friday).

Elsewhere in the 150-acre grounds, visitors will find a strong local flavour with the ‘Best of Berkshire’ this year’s major theme for livestock, food, vintage machinery, countryside sports and crafts.

This year’s show will also build on the successful ‘have a go’ theme, launched last year, which offers the public taster sessions in everything from skateboarding, cookery and negotiating an inflatable army assault course.

A mini farm will be set up at the showground, where youngsters can cuddle goats, spin wool, tickle piglets, hold chicks and groom donkeys.

There will also be a chance to do a bit of early Christmas shopping with hundreds of stalls selling crafts, clothing, food and other products.

Newbury and District Agricultural Society chief executive Daren Bowyer, who will be experiencing his first show since taking over the role, said: “It is only when the final build-up gets underway that you fully appreciate the true scale of the show.

“This weekend is the culmination of many months of hard work by a large team of people and it represents a huge achievement.”

The show opens at 8am on both Saturday and Sunday and advance tickets can be bought at a discount until Friday September 18 at www.berkshireshow.co.uk or from local outlets.

Discounted tickets are priced at £16 for an adult (aged 16 - 59), £13 for a concession (aged 60+) and £5 for a child (aged 5 to 15).

On the gate tickets will be available and are priced at £20 for adults, £16 for concessions and £7 for a child.

Remember to pick up a copy of next week's NWN to see all the pictures and reaction from the show.