Dorchester Show is back!

The popular event makes a return this weekend after organisers were forced to cancel the 2001 show due to the foot and mouth crisis.

Livestock classes will be back in full and the show's organisers, with new secretary Samantha Shaw, are that hoping visitor numbers will exceed the 2000 total of 42,000.

The show takes place tomorrow and Sunday at the Cokers Frome showground to the north of Dorchester.

The horticulture marquee is likely to be one of the most popular, with thousands of entries in more than 100 classes.

Gardeners are expected to make a special effort for the prestigious show as they enter flowers, fruit and vegetable competitions. There are 15 cups, trophies and salvers up for grabs for the winners.

Competition in the Floral Pavilion is likely to be keen, with horticultural traders creating displays of their products and hoping for the £500 prize for best display.

In the Homecraft marquee the classes include flower arranging, preserves and homemade wines.

But the show is not just for the experts. Most sections have novice and junior classes, encouraging entries from younger members of the public.

Dorset food producers will have their wares for sale in the busy Dorset Food Hall. The hall is kept for Dorset-based producers only and was one of the most popular attractions in 2000, when it was introduced.

A spokesman said: "The show remains a show run by farmers for farmers but it also plays a wider role in a changing Dorset community, with opportunities for those from the less rural parts of the county to discover more about agricultural and the rural industries."

Proceedings get under way tomorrow at 8.30am with the ridden hunter classes.

The Devil's Horsemen take over at noon, giving an exciting display of Cossack riding, before the Isle of Wight's Medina Marching Band, featuring 50 musicians, takes to the arena.

The afternoon is sure to see crowds line the arena as teams go head to head in the new pony pair scurry racing contest. Vikings and Saxons do battle later in a mock fight, before an exciting relay horse-jumping race. The grand parade takes place at 3pm on both days.

Sunday begins with the ridden hunter classes again, from 8.30am to noon.

The heavy horses will also be on show in the morning, before the harvest festival service at 11am.

More scurry racing is likely to have the crowds cheering at 11.30am and the Devil's Horsemen return at noon.

Vintage cars and tractors will be on show at 12.30pm and the Vikings and Saxons return at 2.30pm.

After the grand parade, there will be a presentation of long-service awards to people who have been involved in the agricultural industry for 40 years or more.

The one man and his dog contest takes place at 4.30pm, before relay horse-jumping race ends the show at 5.30pm.