LESS than three weeks remain before the spectacular celebration of all things Yorkshire - the Great Yorkshire Show.

With entries in the livestock section virtually back to pre-foot and mouth disease figures, show organiser the Yorkshire Agricultural Society is confident of an excellent three days.

Last year, more than 125,000 visitors went through the gates at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate - the highest figure for almost 20 years.

Honorary show director Christopher Hall said: "This is always an exciting and hectic time, and we're delighted that the support from our exhibitors is as strong as ever. Trade stand space has sold out and livestock entries are high. Cattle figures are very good, we will have almost 1,500 sheep and the numbers of pigs and goats are also looking good.

"Despite the trauma the farming community has suffered, and continues to face, it's very clear that the show is seen as an important shop window for the industry as well as being a great day out. We're looking forward to a superb three days."

Highlights in the main ring include the Royal Artillery parachute team, The King's Division Waterloo Band, sheep dog trials and show jumping.

The art show, featuring work by the Yorkshire Watercolour Society, will give visitors the chance to not only see, but buy paintings, and is complemented by an exhibition by 12 Yorkshire jewellers whose work has been inspired by the various agricultural sections.

The high standard of British food can be seen through the dozens of stands in the food show, featuring everything from venison to cheeses to ice cream, while the theme of the cookery demonstrations in the Sainsbury's Country Cookery Theatre is the benefits of using local produce.

In the Barclays arable and farm conservation area, novel crops will be on show, as well as the more traditional wheat, barley and potatoes.

The show - now in its 145th year - runs from July 8 to 10. Gates open at 8am each day. Tickets on the gate cost £13 for adults, £10 concessions and £7 for children with discounts for tickets booked in advance. Car parking is free.

For further information, go to www.greatyorkshireshow.org or phone the show office on 01423 541000. The ticket hotline number is 01423 541222.

Updated: 09:05 Friday, June 20, 2003