AGRICULTURE meets Ascot as the cream of the county's crop prepare to converge on Chorley's Astley Park.

Next weekend the best in agriculture, horticulture and crafts will be looking to the skies and praying for sunshine at the Royal Lancashire Show gets into full swing.

County councillor Irene Short will officially open the event at 11am on Friday, July 25, starting three days of entertainment at Astley Park.

The picturesque park will be transformed into a showcase of human talents - from flower arranging to dry stone walling - and a stage for the county's best bred animals.

And there's plenty of other attractions, including music from harpist Fiona-Katie Roberts and guitarist John Eatock, spectacular displays, such as the work of artist Howard J Bates', demonstrations and stalls.

Mimic Anthony Mason will be bringing the inimitable style of George Formby to the show and throughout the three days there will be competitions for children, photo displays and videos.

The county council will also have special exhibitions based on the services they provide.

Attractions include a mobile air quality unit, feeding up-to-the-minute data on air pollution into a computer, and the fire brigade, which will be demonstrating a simulated control set-up of how fire calls are received and processed.

As the show's Ladies Committee, which re-formed after disbanding in 1974, is encouraging the female contingent masses of extravagant millinery, there's bound to be a colourful display of fashion.

But for now organisers are busy crossing their fingers in the hope that this summer's unpredictable weather smiles on them this weekend.

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