THOUSANDS gathered at Detling near Maidstone today as the 75th Kent County Show kicked off in an explosion of colour.

The annual celebration of all things Kentish is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors over the three days, and runs until this Sunday at the Kent County Showground.

This year the show celebrates 75 years and the guest of honour will be the Duke of Kent.

Accompanying the Duke on his tour of the many stands will be the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett, Lord Kingsdown, and Kent County Agricultural Society chairman, Willie McKeever.

The Duke is also due to open the Kent Pavilion, a new 3,000sq metre glass building which adds considerably to the show's event space.

As well as traditional cattle and horse events, the show also features nearly 500 exhibitors.

Highlights include the McCabe Ford Williams Shetland Pony Grand National, the grand parade of livestock in the central Astor Ring, the NFU's National Cherry and Soft Fruit Show, sheep shearing demonstrations, a never-ending selection of Kent-grown or reared foods and the lively Horsemen of the Apocalypse display in the Falmouth Ring.

Historic vehicles, arts and crafts, charities, and hundreds of Kent businesses are also represented at the three-day event.