BARROWFORD show is celebrating its 85th birthday this year but show organisers are warning that new members are needed to safeguard the show's future.

The annual show which takes place on the village park and adjacent playing fields will be going ahead as planned despite the recent foot and mouth outbreak and the dreadful weather.

But this year, the show which will be held on Sunday August 26 will be missing the popular adult horticulture and confectionary sections because of staffing problems.

Show organisers hope to bring the sections back next year but say they are in need of people to help run them.

Natalie Cox, chairman of the organising committee, said: "In previous years the show had cattle and sheep sections but after the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 we couldn't find anyone willing to run it. New volunteers are always needed to keep the show going and keep these sections alive.

"The show is ever evolving and although we have had to remove sections in the past we are always trying to find new ways to keep the show up and running."

Mrs Cox is hopeful that the show turnout will be in its thousands like previous successful years but is concerned that the bad spate of weather may result in lower crowds than usual.

She said: "We are always at the mercy of the weather but hopefully local people will still come and show their support and help the show to continue.

"We have been given £15,000 of funding from Barnfield Construction company and Howard Rigg properties to support us for three years. We are currently in the second year of the funding and although we have been lucky enough to have enough money to support us through a few rainy years we obviously do not have a bottomless fund."

This year the show will have charity stalls and trade stands, cheerleaders, kickboxers a dog display team and a falconry show. There will also be the popular tug-of-war competition, children's sport races and a duck race as well as Nelson brass band and footballing skills will be shown by Burnley FC and Accrington Stanley.

A new addition to the show will be a showcase of the finalists of the George and Dragon's karaoke competition and an Elvis tribute act.

This year's show will start at 9am and carry on till the early evening. Advanced tickets are on sale throughout Barrowford and cost £4 for adults, £3,50 for OAPs and £1.50 for children or £7.50 for a family ticket for two adults and two children. Tickets may cost more on the day.

Anyone wishing to become a volunteer can contact Natalie Cox on 01282 696039.