The three-day agricultural showcase that is the Kent County Show is set to open its gates this week.

To be held from Friday, July 8 to Sunday, July 10, the event at the Kent Showground in Detling brings livestock, produce, entertainment and arena displays for all ages.

On the first day, patron of organisers the Kent County Agricultural Society, the Duke of Kent will be attending, and touring areas including meeting young farmers and the Scouts, and watching the flypast of the Kent Spitfire, which will take place each day at 12.30pm.

The society has seen a high level of online ticket sales.

Chairman Kevin Attwood said: “Each year the Kent County Show team strive to bring more excitement, entertainment, educational displays and demonstrations for our thousands of visitors. This year we are delighted to welcome the Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display Team which will certainly give people a thrilling and dramatic display.”

There will be more than 140 displays, activities and arena events over the three days.

Diverse entertainment includes marching band the Royal British Legion Band & Corps Of Drums Romford and crowd pleaser Titan the Robot, who will meet visitors.

Other attractions in the main ring will be the Grand Parade of Livestock, Parade of Hounds, Heritage Vehicle display, Double Harness Scurry and show jumping.

There will also be vintage vehicles, displays of cattle, sheep and goats, sheep shearing demonstrations and, new this year, Joseph’s Amazing Racing Pigs, who will race over hurdles to reach a bucket of food.

The food tent will have more than 40 stands with local, national and international cuisine and the Why Farming Matters Cookery Theatre in the Clive Emson Conference Centre on Saturday and Sunday will see a full line-up of local chefs organised by Matthew Kearsey-Lawson, including an omelette challenge.

Other highlights include the Husqvarna 25m UK Pole Climbing Championships and for the first time there will be a big screen showing some of the big sporting events being held over the weekend in a pop-up sports festival.

Tickets are £48 on the gate. The family ticket entitles two adults and two children aged between five and 15 a full day entrance. Children under five go free and parking is free. Adult tickets are £22 on the gate, a child ticket is £6 on the gate.

The show will be open from 8am to 6pm, with food stands staying open later. For details go to kentshowground.co.uk