SPECTACULAR feats of invention, strength and agility, cunning secrets of top-class art, gardening and cookery, and unrivalled opportunities to shop 'til you drop will feature in the first-ever Leisuretime Show at the Three Counties Showground.

The show, part of a record-breaking year that has seen the showground stage more events than ever before as it recovers from the effects of foot and mouth, has indirectly come about because of last year's epidemic.

The spread of the disease meant the 2001 Three Counties Show was replaced with a Summer Show, the success of which - it attracted around 60,000 people - led the Three Counties Agricultural Society (TCAS) to stage a similar event this year.

The result, the Leisuretime Show, is based round the massive variety of events people love doing in their spare moments - whether it's sport, leisure, DIY, shopping, holidays, health and beauty or the arts.

"This is really building on the success of the Summer Show and we're looking to create an event which will appeal to all age groups, so people can come here and have a good time," said TCAS spokesman Sharon Gilbert.

Attractions include the Midshires Strongest Man Competition, which will boast one of the cast of TV's Gladiators among its contestants, demonstrations by Team Extreme, the world's largest show team of BMX riders, skateboarders and in-line skaters, and concerts by tribute artistes Ky-lee, Robbie Williams (aka Ollie Hughes) and Karen Carpenter (Stars In Their Eyes finalist Yvonne Caudell).

Real life celebrities taking part include Linda Barker, of BBC1's Chan-ging Rooms, and international ju-jitsu star and Dyson Perrins pupil Hannah Stimson, who will open the two-day show at 11am on Saturday (August 10).

Among the less orthodox attractions are a concert band of Action Man and Barbie doll-like figures, the Incredible Singing Dolls, controlled by international puppeteer Dick Fogg, and an interactive demonstration of mural-making by Martin Kelly, who has used his artistic skills for the likes of Gap and Coca-Cola and is taking up teaching post at Malvern Hills College in September.

Ms Gilbert said as many aspects of the show as possible are hands-on, allowing people to try all sorts of things, from agility tests and art techniques to ice skating - there will be a rink - and "splash" painting.

She said that if the event is a success it will be repeated next year. The society is aiming for about 30,000 people through the gate and will also listen to the opinions of stallholders, demonstrators and members of the public.

More information is available on 01684 584900. Tickets are £9 for adults, £2 for children between five and 15, free to under fives, all available on the gate. A family ticket (two adults, up to three children) is £20.