THE Three Counties Showground was in the spotlight this week as the Princess Royal joined birthday celebrations at the venue on Malvern.

She made a special visit on Thursday, December 6, to attend a reception celebrating 60 years at the site in Malvern Wells.

During an afternoon tea for 125 guests, she met groups of sponsors, trade-stand award winners and society committee volunteers.

The Three Counties Agricultural Society, which boasts committee members from Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, bought the showground, off Blackmore Park Road, in 1958.

Previously the show had been held at varios venues in the three counties, rotating annually, but organisers were finding it more and more difficult to find suitable sites.

The society's chief executive, Ken Nottage, said: “We’re grateful to Her Royal Highness for taking the time to join us at this very special celebration of our 60th anniversary here at Malvern.

“She is a regular visitor here but this was a particularly landmark occasion for the society and the showground and we were delighted she could be a part of it.”

The event included a specially commissioned cake depicting the main society shows which Princess Anne was invited to cut.

The first Three Counties Show to be held on the permanent site at Malvern was in 1958, when it was little more than a field, with no roadways or buildings.

Since then, the site has been developed with roads, hardstanding and many permanent buildings to house its events.

As well as the Royal Three Counties Show, it is now the venue for events including the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, the Malvern Autumn Show, an annual farming conference and CountryTastic.

It is also the venue for numerous other events such as car and caravan shows.

There are ambitious plans to continue to develop the showground over the next five years to further improve facilities.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother attended the first show at Malvern in 1958, spending five hours at the event.

The Three Counties Show was given its royal status by the Queen in 2013 and the Princess Royal became its patron the following year.