ORGANISERS of this year's Suffolk Show have said that despite the recent poor weather it will be bigger and better than ever before.

Anthony Bond

ORGANISERS of this year's Suffolk Show have said that despite the recent poor weather it will be bigger and better than ever before.

Honorary show director Peter Over said that weather forecasts were “extremely encouraging” for the popular two-day event which starts today.

“It will be a bumper show and hopefully the weather will be kind on us - and with the weather that we have just had, people would not have had the chance to go out at the weekend,” he said.

“Our land is like sand and is firm and free draining and can take a lot of rain. We also have more than 100 acres of trade stands so if there is a shower people can move under the canvas and after the rain has gone they can continue. There is no problem from our point of view. The show gets bigger and better every year and we are very excited by it.”

Weather forecaster Phil Garner said rain was likely this afternoonand temperatures could reach 23C but tomorrowshould be bright.

“This morning should be dry with the cloud breaking up and sunshine coming along but by the afternoon I think a few showers will be developing which could turn on the heavy side.

“Thursday is looking good. It is dry and warm with a cloudy and misty start but brightening up through the day with light winds and sunny spells in the afternoon with temperatures up to 20C.”

Highlights this year include the Equimax Metropolitan Police Activity Ride -the first time that the equine display has been seen at the Suffolk Show. It features more than 80 jumps, fast crossovers and horses jumping through fire and a paper wall.

There is also the SGR FM Interactive Sports Village, where Suffolk Sport will be promoting active recreation and healthy lifestyles with fun-packed demonstrations and sport-related activities for all ages.

Over the two days, many of the UK's top show jumpers will be competing in five major show-jumping competitions and there will also be livestock competitions and equine riding classes.

Following the success of the Shop Local campaign, The East Anglian Daily Times will have a stand within the Food and Drink Experience to promote all that is good in local food and drink.

You can visit the stand and purchase a Shop Local goodie bag containing a copy of the paper, a drink and a snack. Visitors will also be able enter two competitions to win an £11,000 14-night family cruise or a Saab 9-3 Lynx Yellow Convertible for a weekend.

On the day tickets for the show are £16 for adults and £6 for children. Car parking is £5. A family ticket is £40 for two adults and two children.