An agricultural show is set to focus on families and farming when it kicks off next month.

And to demonstrate just how serious she was about making sure that this year’s event really did make families welcome, Hadleigh Show director Clare Lock had her twins star in the publicity campaign for the event, which takes place on Saturday, May 18.

The two youngsters have a lot to smile about because new to the showground this year are a number of features which are all about young visitors.

Children can jump on board on the “Land Train” with its stopping stages around the showground, take the “Passport Challenge” and get their card stamped at identified locations before returning to the Membership Tent and a chance to win one of 250 goody bags or make their way to the “Children’s Education Area” which will host the Richard Savoury Sheep Show, an education marquee, the animal petting area and trade stands with things to interest children

Foodies will be pleased to learn that The Food Hall is now bigger with almost a third more food producers showcasing the best of East Anglian produce. These new exhibitors are in addition to 40 new trade stands to the now over 120 trade stands and a number of new sponsors. The interest has been phenomenal and it promises to be the busiest show to date, organisers say.

Ringside entertainment features the Adrenaline Tour, a quad and motorcycle stunt show starring Jason Smyth, tractor display team the Flying Fergies, the East Anglian Fire & Rescue team, which lights some fires but fortunately is also on hand to put them out, lawn mower racing and Young Farmers battling it out in tug-o-war.

The traditional rural show content remains centre stage with more than 150 classes of cattle, sheep, goats and horses on show, and a grant parade of winning entries. There’s also an art exhibition and sale, rural craft demonstrations, a poultry tent and flower and horticultural marquees.

For the second year running, tickets can be purchased on-line as well as the usual retail outlets -

Avis Newsagents, Hadleigh; Hollow Trees Farm Shop, Semer; Boxford News, Boxford; Bates Wells & Braithwaite, Sudbury; Stratford Hills Farm Shop, Stratford-St-Mary or visit www.hadleighshow.co.uk to buy your ticket and on the day enjoy fast track entry.

If booking before Friday, May 17,, visitors can take advantage of the ‘Early-Bird Discount’, which reduces a Family Ticket (two adults with up to three children) to £24.00.

Other Early Bird prices are: Adult - £9 (£12 on day); Child 5-16 – £5 (£7 on day); Senior Citizen - £7 (£10 on day). Parking is free and gates open at 8.00am.

Located as always in the beautiful setting of Holbecks Park (IP7 5PE), Hadleigh is one of the oldest one-day Agricultural Shows in the country and is organised by Hadleigh Farmers’ Agricultural Association. Next year it will be celebrating 175 years. Organised annually by Hadleigh Farmers’ Agricultural Association.