THE countdown has begun to this year's ever-popular Royal Lancashire Show which could be having its final fling at Chorley's Astley Park.

Negotiations are taking place for a new site in Chorley and show chairman Tom Alty declared this week: "It's very exciting. Watch this space because things will be happening."

Both Chorley Borough Council and the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society are keen to relocate the show to former opencast mining land at Ellerbeck in Adlington which the council had identified as a country park and permanent showground.

And although the land has been acquired by another purchaser, it is still thought some of it could be available for recreational purposes.

This year's show opens tomorrow (Friday) July 25, for three days.

The agricultural livestock sections are expected to be as strong as ever - with classes for beef and dairy cattle, upland and lowland sheep, pigs and goats, as well as poultry, wildfowl and pigeons and rabbits and cavies.

As in 1996 when it was first introduced, there will be another 'ladies day' on the Friday and a substantial prize for the 'best dressed lady' on the showground.

The whole day was so successful that it has now become a permanent fixture and this year, in addition to the marquee events, has attracted the BSJA National Ladies' Showjumping Championship, a competition held at the Royal Windsor Horse Show for the last 30 years.

A wide choice of entertainment will be featured in the main ring over the weekend, including music from the 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles, clown Ben Lester and his Crazy Car, sheep dog trials and falconry displays.

Daily admission charges are: Adults £7; pensioners and children £3.50; family ticket (two adults and up to three children) £18.

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