The countdown is on for this year's Dorset County Show which is less than a fortnight away.

Final preparations are being made for the event at Dorchester Showground which will include a variety of attractions, livestock, and fun for all the family to celebrate agriculture and rural life in Dorset. There will also be a range of competitive classes, trade stands and demonstrations.

Organised by Dorchester Agricultural Society, the show first began in 1840.

This year it will take place on Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2.

For the first time, a touch of Middle Eastern culture will be coming to Dorchester for the main ring entertainment. Camel racing will be provided by Joseph’s Amazing Camels which have appeared on BBC’s Countryfile and are also the stars of advertising campaigns including the British airline EasyJet.

The Fabulous Food & Farming Education Area is also a new addition for the 2018 show offering, which will provide visitors with information about the important role farming plays in our lives and where our food comes from.

Throughout the weekend competitive classes will be taking place for more than 20 different breeds of cattle, over 30 different breeds of sheep, goats and pigs, as well as in homecraft, horticulture and sheep shearing. Poultry, rabbits and alpacas will also be on show, with falconry displays, scurry racing and the Grand Parade of award-winning livestock will take place in the main ring.

Food lovers will have an extensive range of hand-picked catering concessions to choose from, each specialising in a different type of cuisine, showcasing local food producers from across Dorset. There will also be more than 450 trade stands at the show and high-end country items will be found in the specialist ‘Shopping@theAvenue’ marquee.

Show secretary Will Hyde said: “The countdown to this year’s Dorset County Show has officially begun and the final preparations are well underway. We have seen a fantastic entries in our competitive classes and it is great to see the county continuing to support the show in this way.

“We are proud to be in our 178th year and look forward to hosting a weekend of fun and agriculture for the whole county and beyond to enjoy, whatever the weather.”

To find out more and to book tickets visit dorsetcountyshow.co.uk or call 01305 264249.