Anniversary county show under way

Local agriculture will be a major feature of the show

Kent's largest outdoor event has begun, with the support of two members of the Royal Family.

The three-day 80th Kent County Show was opened by the Earl and Countess of Wessex, who will spend a day there.

Questions were raised about its future after it made a loss of £360,000 last year but organisers are hoping for good weather and higher attendances.

The theme for this year's show is the development of agriculture since the event started in 1923.

The event will have a special significance for the Countess of Wessex, who was born in Brenchley, close to the showground site in Detling.

In addition to the usual emphasis on livestock and agriculture, the show will have a variety of displays, including for the first time the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, which will be parading every day.

There is also a countryside area that includes fly-fishing, ferret racing, birds of prey, otters, hounds and other countryside pursuits, such as working gun dogs.

There is also a large interactive area in the agricultural zone called "Why Farming Matters" that focuses on the importance of farming in Kent.