Three-day county show under way

An additional marquee has been set up for livestock

This year's Kent County Show is taking place with about 100,000 people expected to attend the three-day event.

The show has an expanded agriculture area called "Why Farming Matters" - a National Farmers' Union drive to raise awareness of agricultural issues.

Organisers said the 2007 show had grown by 41,000 sq m (10 acres). The larger agriculture area is backed by the South East England Development Agency.

People driving to the show should allow extra time, with roads set to be busy.

The Highways Agency urged road users to plan their journeys and said road signs were being put up to alert drivers.

BBC South East at the Kent County Show

Visitors to the agricultural area will see the latest machinery, displays of growing crops, and cookery and baking demonstrations.

Show organisers also promised a mock auction and displays relating to milk produce and dairy farming, with Hadlow College, Kent Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Kent County Agricultural Society also represented.

A picnic area will focus on Kent's local produce

In the run-up to the event, general manager of the showground David Goff said there had been an increase in Young Farmers' entries for the show which had led to an additional marquee for the large numbers of livestock on display.

A picnic area will focus on local produce, and has been co-ordinated by Produced in Kent.

Other attractions include the Detling Steam Rally, vintage car displays, The Sheep Show, and demonstrations of working horses being used in the forestry area.

Kent Police has set up an anniversary marquee to show how the force has changed since it was founded in 1857.

And Kent County Council is demonstrating its Kent TV service, a broadband channel due to launch in September.