ORGANISERS are confident 2003 will prove to be one of the county's best show years when Ryedale Show takes centre stage next week.

Record entries in everything from pigs and poultry to chutneys and children's classes have been put forward, and competitors from as far away as Devon and Cornwall are travelling to take part in Tuesday's event.

Pat Harrison, the show's assistant secretary, said the organisers were hopeful of a bumper turnout.

Almost 200 trade stands will be on display - more than ever before - and the highest number of horse and pony entries has been recorded.

Mrs Harrison said the agricultural horse classes, which were always a crowd favourite, were looking strong this year.

Winners in the horse riding events at the show are qualifiers for the prestigious Wembley and Burleigh horse events - drawing keen interest from competitors.

"We have a considerable number of sheep entered and the cattle entries are extremely good," she said.

Pigs and goats will also be prominent as the tight restrictions imposed in the wake of the 2001 foot and mouth epidemic are relaxed.

"Ryedale's is a real farming show - people have been exhibiting here for generations," she said.

Local schoolchildren have been hard at work preparing their arts and crafts for the show, and youngsters have been asked to design a cover for the front of next year's show brochure.

"We get a lot of interest from the schools which is encouraging because they are tomorrow's competitors and spectators.

"The show doesn't rely on star attractions to draw the public - it strives to be a typical agricultural show of quality," she added.

Although last year's show brought in an income of more than £50,000, it still made a loss of £593.

"But the economic value it provides to Ryedale is tremendous," said Mrs Harrison.

"A considerable amount of business is done at the show which benefits the whole of the district."

About £20,000 of prizes and trophies will be on offer for the winners in the 800-plus classes.

"Everything is set for what we are confident could well be the best-ever Ryedale Show, especially if the weather is in our favour," said Mrs Harrison.

Updated: 09:10 Wednesday, July 23, 2003