THE prestigious Three Counties Show has been scrapped and replaced with a new event in August because of the foot-and-mouth crisis, organisers revealed today.

It is the first time since the Second World War that the Three Counties, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors to the Malvern showground each June, has been cancelled.

The announcement follows a decision last month to axe livestock from the show, and comes days after the Royal Show at Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire, was called off.

At the same time, the Three Counties Agricultural Society has revealed plans to spearhead a major fund-raising initiative to help farmers in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

The Stress in the Countryside Appeal will be launched next week in association with the Evening News, Berrow's Worcester Journal and Malvern Gazette.

It will be followed by an intensive campaign of fund-raising events culminating at the new Three Counties Summer Show, between August 17 and 19.

"As foot-and-mouth continues to wreak havoc, farms and other rural businesses have been left reeling," said TCAS chief executive Chris Milne.

"The Society itself hasn't escaped the impact and, with the countryside in such a state, it wouldn't be appropriate to stage a show in June."

The August event will be aimed at all ages and include show-jumping, regional food, forestry, and farriery. New features will include pole-climbing and the BMW International Motorcycle event.

"The event will serve as an excellent focus for our appeal and provide a much-needed shop window for the many traders who've suffered financial loss recently," added Mr Milne.

"We hope the public will join us in supporting the rural economy by visiting the show."

The appeal, headed by TCAS president Sally Clive, will target individuals and businesses unaffected by foot-and-mouth.

All donations will be distributed via the Rural Stress Support Networks in the three counties.