THOUSANDS are expected to turn out for the Usk Show when it returns to the Usk Showground on Saturday.

The annual agricultural event has been run by the voluntary committee of the Usk Farmers' Club since 1843.

Hundreds of local people continue to volunteer as stewards on show day, ensuring the show’s popularity, drawing in excess of 20,000 visitors every year.

At the permanent Usk Showground site near Gwernesney, the site will host ten different sections to run their competitions and exhibitions.

Usk Show is unique in only accepting agricultural entries from Usk Farmers’ Club members farming within the old county of Gwent.

Club chair and agricultural section secretary, Caroline Turner, reported bumper entries in the Livestock, including several new exhibitors.

"We are feeling very positive for another excellent show," said Mrs Turner. "Harvest has gone well and we are looking forward to being very well attended by our farming community.”

However, there will be no rabbit show this year due to a contagious virus that has been causing an issue for rabbit exhibitors and shows nationwide this year.

The show's general secretary, Faye Mear, said: “We appreciate the rabbits will be missed by our visitors, but we did not want to expose our exhibitors to any unnecessary risk. We are confident the rabbits will be back next year."

Other competitions include showjumping, horticulture, homecraft, vintage tractors and a dog show.

Around 300 traders will be outside and under canvas in the food hall, craft fair and shopping mall.

Children will also be catered for with free 'make-and-take' crafts and other activities at the Junkfish tent, as well as infaltables, a fairground and sideshows available throughout the day.

The showground is open from 8am onwards and trade stands are open from 9am until 6.30pm.

The show site is accessible from the A449 and is just approximately five minutes outside of Usk.

Free car parking will be available on-site, while free shuttle buses and a free park and ride will run from Usk Square and from County Hall, The Rhadyr, respectively.

Full show schedules are available via the website, www.uskshow.co.uk.