THE three day Royal Lancashire Show is one of Britain's oldest agricultural shows - it first took place in 1767.

It has its origins in the Manchester Agricultural Society and after various name changes and amalgamations over the next century, it was reconstituted as the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society in 1893.

During its long history it has managed to overcome financial difficulties, which meant the show did not go on for some years, been cancelled because of poor weather and enjoyed record turn outs when the sun did shine.

From 1954 the show was held at Stanley Park, in Blackpool, but the opening of the zoo 18years later meant it had to find a new home.

It's more recently been held at a number of different sites in the county, including Witton Park in Blackburn, Astley Park in Chorley and Salesbury Hall at Ribchester, where the 2017 show opens this Friday, August 11.