acole@thekmgroup.co.uk

The message from organisers of the annual Kent County Show is clear – the show goes on.
The news comes as torrential rain battered the county last night and, elsewhere in the country, agricultural events such as the Great Yorkshire Show were cancelled due to flooding.
But Kent County Agricultural Society, which runs the event at Detling, has assured visitors that the three-day event, which kicks off tomorrow, will go ahead.
Roger Moore, executive manager, said: “We are only going to be looking at showers – how many or how heavy of course we just don’t know.
“Last year we had 43mm of rain over the Saturday and Sunday, which was exceptionally heavy, but at the moment everything looks to be on schedule and it looks okay.”
The showground also has several indoor areas, including livestock judging and the Kent Pavilion, where there will be an exhibition of art dedicated to the Queen.
Advanced ticket sales for this year's event are already up on last year. Visitors will be able to enjoy activities including motorcycle display teams and arena events; a Spitfire flypast and floral displays; Kent Young Farmers and birds of prey, along with hundreds of stalls.

See next week's Kent Messenger for full coverage.