LIVESTOCK breeders are showing their support for the Three Counties Countryside Show by returning to compete after an absence of two years.

In spite of rules restricting animal movements between shows and the threat of bovine tuberculosis, livestock entries for the event on June 13-15 are much healthier than anticipated.

The Three Counties Agricultural Society (TCAS) said this week it had received 1,800 entries for classes covering cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and alpacas. More than 1,600 entries have also been received in the horse section.

It is a far cry from 2001 and 2002, when the outbreak of foot and mouth disease saw the event take place without livestock competitions for the first time since the 1950s.

Show manager Doreen Smillie said: "We're delighted to see our flagship event with pedigree livestock back in place and we would like to thank all those exhibitors supporting us this year.

"As one of the first agricultural shows of the year, the majority of our entry closing dates fall in April and May, so the six-day standstill rule has been quite a worry.

"It will almost certainly have affected us to some extent, as breeders have been forced to choose between events.

"Unfortunately, Defra's recent announcement of an exemption to the rule for show cattle, sheep and goats is a little too late for us, although it may boost commercial cattle entries which do not close until May 27.

"We are, nevertheless, pleased to see so many of our exhibitors returning here in 2003 and we're confident the show will be a great success."

Dairy farmers will be at Malvern again for the first time since 1999, when falling milk prices, tuberculosis and the wettest April on record forced the society to withdraw all dairy classes from the event.