by Angela Cole

acole@thekmgroup.co.uk

There's something for everyone from arena displays to mouth-watering food and prize-winning livestock at this year's Kent County Show.

The annual event, organised by the Kent county Agricultural Society, will be held at the Kent Showground in Detling, near Maidstone, on Friday, July 13, Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15.

New this year will be a Dash 'n Splash long jump contest for dogs; a beer and cider festival with local brews and children's woodland workshops run by the Kent Wildlife Trust.

Usually attracting some 80,000 people, it promises farm animals and equine displays, as well as special guests Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the Friday, popular TV presenter Adam Henson on the Saturday, to present prizes to winners of the Grown In Kent initiative, which encourages schoolchildren to grow fruit and vegetables. TV legend John Craven will visit on the Sunday.

There will also be a display by the Bolddog Lings motorcycle team with their gravity-defying acrobatics in the Astor Ring on all three days.

Other arena attractions include an historic vehicle display, the Band of the 24 Invicta Rifles and parades of bloodhounds and beagles.

The Food Tent and Produced In Kent marquees will offer plenty of mouth-watering treats, while an accompanying wine tent will have a selection of the finest examples from British vineyards, with Kent well represented.

There will also be floral displays; sheep-shearing demonstrations, and Kent Young Farmers will be showing off their well-kept animals.

A woodland area offers a tranquil setting for rural crafts there will be children's workshops.

And also returning by popular demand will be one visitor who has no relation to farming - 7ft 6in Titan the robot.

Discounted tickets can be bought in advance. To book, visit www.kentshowground.co.uk or by calling 01622 633060.