THE Royal Three Counties Show is getting ready to celebrate a special anniversary.

With the count-down well and truly underway to the three-day show which opens at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground from Friday, June 15, all is beginning to take shape for its 60th anniversary year on the site with what is planned as being the biggest celebration yet of the great British countryside.

With more than 90,000 visitors expected to join the landmark event in the agricultural calendar, it’s set to be a truly staggering feast of farming, fine food and family entertainment.

Diana Walton, Head of Shows at the Three Counties, said: “We’re incredibly proud to mark the 60th year of our namesake show.  Our roots stretch back over 220 years but this year we’re celebrating our ‘diamond’ anniversary at the showground with a sparkling line up.”

She added: “We’ve some wonderful new additions including our Gardening Hub, Ask the Groom and the much-loved actors from the Archers.”

This year Worcestershire hosts the show, sharing some of the best bits of the county with visitors.

Worcestershire Music will entertain the crowds, and visitors can follow a trail of beautiful works of art from celebrated artist, David Birtwhistle. Also the extremely popular, Medieval re-enactment camp returns to focus on Worcestershire’s exciting history and The Firs, birth-place of Sir Edward Elgar, will be showcasing an original piano owned by Elgar.

Other highlights include - the Wellington Boot Theatre which will be hosted by BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter, Andrew Easton. The theatre will shine a spotlight on inspiring outdoor activities and there will be Q&As with Andrew and his guests, including BBC Countryfile presenter and Show Ambassador, Adam Henson. Visitors will also hear from Worcester Warriors players, swimmer Claire Cashmore and PGA golfer Oliver Farr.

As usual the Main Arena will be action packed with entertainment featuring the highly entertaining Shetland Pony Grand National, the jaw-dropping Red Devil parachute displays, sheepdog displays from international sheep dog handler Dick Roper, a parade of farm machinery through the ages, and the always impressive Grand Parade, featuring each day’s livestock champions.

The very best national and local produce will be showcased and there will be the opportunity to check out some of the finest livestock around with no less than 120 breeds of animals and almost 900 classes.

There’ll be sheep shearing competitions, farming experts on hand to answer any questions and entertainment from Young Farmers.

There will also be a Countryside Village and a Young Enterprise Zone.

And what better way to celebrate the show’s diamond anniversary than to welcome the much-loved characters from the world’s longest-running radio soap opera about life down in a farming community.  Favourites from the show will give talks alongside judging a range of competitions and some lucky visitors will even get the opportunity to meet some of Ambridge’s finest.

Over the years many local breeders and producers from the Bromsgrove and Droitiwich areas (Redditch and Alcester areas) have won countless championship awards with their livestock, garden produce and with their production in specialist areas such as cheeses and ice cream.

The Royal Three Counties Show will take place from Friday, June 15 until Sunday, June 17. Tickets are now on sale with advanced tickets from £19 for adults and £5 for children, family tickets are also available.  For information on ticket prices and further information on the show, please visit www.royalthreecounties.co.uk or call 0844 811 0050.