TENS of thousands of people are today expected to flock to the county as the gates open for one of the highlights of its social calendar.

The 179th Suffolk Show gets under way at Trinity Park in Ipswich and organisers are hoping for a bumper turnout.

They are expecting 90,000 visitors to pour through the turnstiles over the next two days to sample some of the very best the county has to offer.

Organisers are promising one of the best line-ups ever – which includes a unique display by an Apache helicopter.

A team of Red Devils will jump from the aircraft and simulate securing a site for the helicopter to rearm and refuel in a potentially hostile environment.

Major Simon de la Billiere, attack helicopter force chief of staff, said: “We are only too pleased to be part of the Suffolk Show.

“At Wattisham we are reliant on the goodwill of the community and local landowners over whose land we often operate. We couldn’t do what we do without their support. The Suffolk Show is a huge local event and we are delighted to be involved.”

As well as more than 800 trade stands there is also a bumper selection of more than 1,300 livestock across 280 classes.

Meanwhile, there is the usual Flower and Garden Experience exhibition and the popular Adnams food and drink hall and cookery theatre, showcasing some of the very best produce the county has to offer.

The Stockmen’s Canteen will also be holding a Greene King Beer Festival and trying out a new Guinness “surger”.

Cans of flat Guinness are poured into a glass, placed on a water-covered metal plate which, using electrolysis, encourages the head to come up from the bottom of the glass to give a pint in a matter of seconds.

Christopher Bushby, executive director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, said: “It’s going to be a really busy show – we are almost bursting at the seams.

“All we need is for great weather, not too hot but just comfortable for the visitors as well as all the animals.

“We are confident that this show will be a landmark; it is feeling very different and very special this year.”

Forecasters are predicting fine weather – with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 18C.

Joe Osborne, of Weatherquest, said: “There should be quite an improvement compared to what we have seen.

“Although there is likely to be cloud at times it should break up so that it is dry with sunny spells.”

Meanwhile, police are warning motorists to expect congestion in and around Ipswich due to the volume of traffic heading to the show.

Inspector Des Pooley, of Suffolk’s Road Policing Unit, asked drivers to take some simple measures to ensure all goes smoothly.

“Police officers will be on the main routes to try to ensure traffic keeps moving but we know the A14 and A12 near the Seven Hills interchange can be particularly busy and we would ask all non-show traffic to avoid the area and find an alternative route if at all possible,” he said.

“We would urge all visitors to follow the signs and to keep to the routes directed, even if it means using two lanes where they might only usually use one.”

Police are also reminding visitors to lock their vehicles and remove any valuables.

n Visit the East Anglian Daily Times’s promotion teams at this year’s Suffolk Show for your chance to buy a limited edition World Cup supporter’s pack.

As well as a bottle of water and a packet of crisps the �2 bag also includes a flag, sticker and poster.

The promotion teams will be in the lifestyle pavilion, sports zone and food hall.