THE premier celebration of farming and all things rural in Yorkshire is set to delight thousands of visitors, with organisers looking forward to a bumper event.

With only a few days to go to the start of the 146th Great Yorkshire Show, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has announced that tickets sales in advance of the event are up 60 per cent on last year, with 6,300 orders compared with 2,956 in 2003.

The honorary show director, Christopher Hall, said: "Each year the show gets better and better, and this one is certainly on track for success.

"We have the second-highest entry figure in the show's history for our competitive classes, we will have more cattle, sheep, pigs and goats than ever before, and we have a packed programme of entertainment in our two arenas. We have new features, combined with the traditional, to ensure there is something for everyone."

Organisers expect more than 125,000 people to visit the event, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday at the showground, off Harrogate's Wetherby Road, and are advising show-goers to allow plenty of time to get there.

The one-way traffic flow system on Wetherby Road, which has one of the main entry points, has proved beneficial, but last year saw the highest ever level of traffic - some 21,500 vehicles were parked in the space of six hours.

Inspector Nigel Morgan said: "The event is extremely popular, and obviously a stress-free journey to the show is a key aim. The show opens at 8am, so aim to get there as early as possible."

Last year the show attracted 127,152 visitors, the highest figure since 1979 and the fourth-highest in its history.

One of the highlights of the show will be the launch of a new competition to highlight the region's wealth of culinary talent will be launched at the show.

The Great Yorkshire Cookery Competition will provide the opportunity for professional and amateur chefs to demonstrate their skills, using regional produce.

Richard Allen, head chef of the Fourth Floor Restaurant, at Harvey Nichols in Leeds, will launch the competition as well as being one of the judges. Joining Richard will be Elaine Lemm, food and drink editor for Yorkshire Life, and TV presenter Gaynor Barnes.

The competition is organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and has three sections - for professional, amateur and junior chefs. The winners will demonstrate their recipes at the show's sister event, the Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair, in October.

Tickets on the gate cost £15 for adults, with £11 for concessions. A family ticket (two adults and three children) costs £40. Parking is free and extensive, but dogs are not allowed on the showground. The general show telephone number is 01423 541000, or for further information check out the website: www.greatyorkshireshow.org

Updated: 09:39 Saturday, July 10, 2004