Organisers of the Kent County Show have reported a record night of online ticket sales.

In previous years the highest amount of advance tickets sold in a 24-hour period totalled £10,000.

Yesterday (Wednesday) more than £13,000 of tickets were sold - a 30% increase.

It is thought the scorching temperatures predicted for the three day show which starts tomorrow have encouraged the surge in demand for tickets.

A new online system also allows visitors who book and print their tickets at home to use the fast track entrance when arriving at the Kent Showground in Detling.

Show manager Lucy Hegarty said: “We are over the moon that the Kent public have been using our new online ecommerce system.The barcode system will stay open on all three Show days allowing visitors to book and print their tickets at home and use the fast track entrance.”

Discounted advance tickets will be available until midnight today - Thursday, July 11. After this time the tickets will be available at the normal gate price.

This year’s agricultural extravaganza looks set to be better than ever, with more than 400 stands, live music, a wealth of farming exhibits, dancing sheep and even racing camels.

Animals take centre stage, with three days of competitions as livestock entries come from all over the country compete for the coveted prize of supreme champion.

Kent’s Young Farmers will once again be exhibiting their prized cattle, sheep, pigs and small animals, and the Why Farming Matters in Kent area will also return, with growers on hand to talk to visitors about food and farming.

There will also be a cookery theatre where local chefs showcase local produce, and the chance to milk Daisy the life size dairy cow.

Young and old are sure to love the Sheep Show, with a shearing demonstration and the infamous Sheep Show Shuffle which sees the sheep dancing.

Animal lovers will also enjoy the Sheep Dog and Duck Display, Ferret Racing and Terrier Racing in the CLA Country and Game Area.

The Hawking Centre will hold free Birds of Prey flying demonstrations twice a day, and don’t miss Joseph’s Amazing Racing Camels, which will take place in the Main Ring with four jockeys wearing colourful costumes.

Take a relaxing stroll around the Flower Show, showcasing a stunning range of plants and flowers, and don’t miss a visit to the Vintage Vehicle Area, with more than 500 classic motors on display.

There will also be music at the bandstand next to the picnic area, with 1920s and 1930s-style Casablanca Steps and Muddy River Soul and Blues Band entertaining the crowds.

And the Kent County Show would not be complete without the hugely popular Kent Spitfire display, flying overhead at 12.30pm each day.

Visitors will be spoilt for choice when it comes to refreshments. The Food Tent will have more than 40 stands offering a wide range of Kentish, British and international produce.

There will be a Wine and Cheese Tent offering visitors the chance to sample and buy some goods from across the country.

Delicious fresh produce will be on offer at the National Cherry and Soft Fruit Show, and those who fancy a tipple can drop into the John Hendry Pavilion, which will be transformed into the international Beer and Cider Festival.

A couple of famous faces will be dropping in to enjoy the show. MP Owen Patterson, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will be visiting on Friday, July 12, to meet organisers and look at some of the exhibits.

On Saturday, July 13, broadcaster Gloria Hunniford, who lives in Sevenoaks, will be coming to support the event.

Make sure you find the KM Group’s show stand, which is being shared with Kent Scouts.

All of kmfm’s presenters will be attending the event, including Breakfast’s Rob Wills and Emma Saint, pictured here posing with KM Fun Club’s monkey mascots Mungo and Millie.

The Fun Club photo board will be at the show all weekend, so young and old can have their pictures taken with the lovable characters.

And young visitors can take along the vouchers in this week’s free Fun Club summer special pull-out, offering a free go at zorbing, the chance to try out some body art or flower painting, and play hook-a-duck.

Older visitors can enter the free draw to win a free water butt. Southern Water will be giving one away every day of the show. Simply visit the KM stall to find out how to enter.

And Kent Scouts, one of the KM Group’s charities of the year, will be joining in the fun, bringing along its new mobile rock climbing wall for visitors to try.

The Kent County Show is open from 8am to 6pm from Friday, July 12 to Sunday, July 14. Admission is £20 for adults, £6 for children, and £45 for a family. Call 01622 630975 or visit kentshowground.co.uk