THE showground will be like a magnet for St John Ambulance volunteers from all over Kent who willingly give up their time to tend to visitors who injure themselves or are suddenly taken ill.

Each year, the 60-plus St John volunteers on duty over the three days give first aid treatment to about 300 members of the public, trade exhibitors or catering staff.

The bulk of casualties and those who become ill can be dealt with immediately at the charity's medical centre, at the heart of the showground, thus avoiding the injured or sick a trek to the nearest hospital and a potential long wait in Accident & Emergency.

In 30 years at the County Show, Steve Walker the St John Ambulance full-time county staff officer has seen it all and knows the importance of having a well-organised and tested system in place to deal with any eventuality.

The bulk of the work is concentrated over the weekend but the medical centre is staffed and operational on the Tuesday morning before the show until the Monday afternoon after the show, providing cover for the workmen setting up and dismantling the stands.

From 8am to 8pm on show days, up to four doctors, two registered general nurses and six trained first-aiders are stationed at the centre to treat minor injuries on site. Mr Walker said: "It's a system that has been refined and developed over the years and it's one that works."