THE cream of the country's pedigree livestock will be competing at the Three Counties Show from June 17 to 19, the annual farming and food spectacular.

Livestock entries are buoyant and although cattle entries are slightly down on last year there is a substantial increase in both sheep and rare breed cattle sections and the pig entry has remained at 2004 levels.

The show is hosting the National British Angora Goat Show for the first time this year and the event has attracted 70 entries.

Most of the livestock competitions take place over Friday and Saturday with Sunday designated a Rare Breeds Day, featuring the Alpaca Show.

TCAS press officer Sharon Gilbert said: "In spite of ongoing challenges in farming, livestock breeders are demonstrating their support in numbers. Of course, many farm businesses have been forced to diversify and the agricultural community is now very much changed.

"The society has had to look long and hard at show content and develop some of the niche areas that are steadily emerging within the industry."

As is tradition, sheep farmers enter their commercial lambs on the Wednesday before the event, usually via the livestock markets. Gloucester no longer has a market but Gloucestershire farmers can enter their lambs at Worcester market in a separate class.

Cattle rings on the showground were enlarged last year, proving a new successful layout enabling the public to view stock on two sides. An educational commentary will accompany livestock judging as it did in 2004 and breed societies will once again be out in force with their information stands.

The Equestrian Village is looking good and the programme has attracted another bumper horse entry.

Two new classes designed to support a fast-growing initiative aimed at encouraging the re-training of racehorses for riding have drawn more than 30 entries.