Staffordshire County Show bosses in hope of jubilee boost

Organisers of Staffordshire's flagship County Show are hoping for an increase in visitors as a result of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year.

Bosses are hoping the historic event, which sees hundreds of cattle and sheep on display, will beat last year's total of 72,000 visitors.

It follows £215,000 worth of improvements to the infrastructure of the showground. This year's event, hosted by the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society, will take place at the county showground in Stafford on June 6 and 7.

Holly Hobson, secretary of show, said: "We are hoping for more visitors than last year what with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations taking place.

"We have in excess of 400 stands which is slightly up on the year before. There is still space too.

"In addition, this year's event will see the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motorcycle Display Team there for both days."

Other demonstrations in- clude traditional country skills of dry stone walling and thatching, while there will also be championship parades of winning livestock, parades of hounds, inter-hunt relays and heavy horse turnouts.

Richard Williams, chief executive of the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society, said: "The Staffordshire County Show has bucked the trend suffered by other such shows and trade has remained buoyant over the past few years.

"Last year's event made a modest profit, which together with income from other events held on the showground through out the year, are ploughed back into upgrading and improving the site's facilities."

Tickets are £13 in advance for adults or £15 on the gate.

Family tickets cost £31 in advance or £36 on the gate.

For more information and entry forms see www.staffs countyshowground.co.uk