THIS year’s three-day Kent County Show, expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors, will be the 40th to be held at the showground at Detling, near Maidstone.

Princess Alexandra visited the first show held at Detling, in 1964, and this year’s event on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 11, 12 and 13, will also have a Royal flavour.

For the first time four of the Queen’s four-horse state coaches and landaus from the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace will be appearing - parading twice a day in one of the main rings.

Visitors will be able to see Queen Alexandra’s glass State Coach, which dates back to 1865 and has been used for the State Opening of Parliament, the Scottish State Coach, used by the Queen for her 60th birthday service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and the Balmoral and Ascot landaus.

A pair of the Queen’s horses are also entered in the Double Harness class on the first day of the show (Falmouth Arena from 9.30am).

Transport of a much faster kind will be provided by the Bolddog Lings Freestyle Motorcycle Team from East Anglia.

Daredevil riders use one of the world’s largest landing ramps to jump gaps of more than 80ft and reach heights of over 35ft during their routine.

The King’s Division Waterloo Band, one of the top military bands in the country, will demonstrate their musicianship and there’s a welcome return for the popular Casablanca Steps, performing authentic songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s

Ye Olde Redtail Falconry Display team will have 28 birds of prey on duty and threaten plenty of audience participation.

A SPECIAL COUNTY SHOW SUPPLEMENT PRODUCED BY THE KM GROUP APPEARS IN THE JULY 4 EDITION OF THE KENT MESSENGER AND MEDWAY MESSENGER