THIS year’s Royal Three Counties Show is set to play host to a spectacular show of livestock with entries in some sections full to bursting and a waiting list having to be operated for sheep entries.

The show, which takes place in Malvern from June 16 to 18, has received more than 2,700 sheep entries across both the main show and the National Rare and Minority Breeds Show which takes place on the Sunday, leaving the sheep penning full to capacity.

“We are excited by the exceptional numbers of sheep which have been entered, including record numbers of Wiltshire Horns ,and also great numbers in the Teesdale section in their first year of classes,” said head of shows Diana Walton.

“As a result of the high numbers it has been necessary to put in place a waiting list for those who entered after the close of entries.”

Cattle, pig and goat entries are all strong too, with numbers of the inaugural National Junior Dairy Show at a promising level for the fledgling event.

“We are delighted that the National Junior Dairy Show has caught the attention of dairy breeders and drawn support from a number of breeds,” added Ms Walton.

“Dairy farming has been through a tough few years with low milk prices, but the enthusiasm and optimism shown by those breeding and milking top quality cows has never waned.

“This year’s event will give these breeders a unique opportunity to showcase the best of their breeding and their herds’ future potential.

“The show has also attracted more than 100 head of Aberdeen-Angus entered for the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s Summer National Show, with delegates from the Aberdeen-Angus World Forum 2017 visiting the show on the Saturday."

Pig numbers stand just shy of 200 entries while, on the poultry front, organisers can offer a full schedule of classes following the lifting of bird flu restrictions.