Jemma Woodman
BBC Spotlight

Julieann Snook-Bevis, from Holsworthy, will be showing her Angora Goats at the show this year.

"The goats love it, it's their first show of the season, so some of them are a bit apprehensive walking and seeing all these new other animals here.

"Coming to Devon County is so exciting, it's really good to engage with people, educate them about farm animals, and just show them how lucky we are to live in Devon to be fair."

Brodie Owen
BBC South West

Devon County Council says anyone using the A380 north-bound approach should expect delays due to a car fire at Telegraph Hill.

"Expect delays and avoid this route where possible," the authority says.

Brodie Owen
BBC South West

Image source, Devon & Cornwall Police

Devon and Cornwall Police are displaying what they are calling a "slightly different" member of the rural crime team.

Decked out in police livery, a John Deere 6110M tractor is on loan to the force from agricultural dealership Masons Kings.

The force says it will use the tractor at shows throughout the summer to raise awareness of agricultural crime - such as theft of GPS devices, livestock or plant equipment.

Image source, Devon & Cornwall Police

PC Clarke Orchard says the tractor won't be used operationally but he hopes it will "spark conversations with farmers" about the issue.

“A huge part of our job is to connect to and be visible in our rural and agricultural communities," he says.

"We work with local police neighbourhood teams to tackle rural crime and anti-social behaviour anywhere in our counties."

The show's organisers say there will be livestock competitions, external, daily tractor processions, arts and crafts and cookery demonstrations.

Hundreds of trade stands, external will allow producers to show off their wares and there will be a marquee "packed to the rafters" with crafting and gardening ideas.

BBC Gardeners World presenter Joe Swift is making an appearance, external at the show for the first time on Friday.

The qualifying rounds of “Britain’s Fittest Farmer of 2023, external” will take place on Saturday.

This year's event will also be host to a tug of war competition, a festival of heavy horses, and a showing of an entourage of giant Aldabra tortoises, external, among other things.

Issy Beard
BBC Radio Devon

Sheep sheerer Jade Bett, from Lincolnshire, is attending the show for the first time with her Dutch spotted sheep, called Duchess.

"I was recommended the Devon County Show as it's a lovely show to attend - everyone's friendly and it's a great social event," she says.

Brodie Owen
BBC South West

Devon County Council, external is reporting heavy congestion on roads near Exeter this morning.

An earlier breakdown at Sandygate roundabout is causing congestion on the north-bound approaches to the show, the authority says.

The council says a crash on the A38/A380 is also causing traffic in the north-bound lanes.

The “magic ingredient” that keeps people coming back year after year are the many breeds of animals, organisers say.

This year, giant Aldabra tortoises will feature for the first time.

Tortoise owner Adrian Graham - who has brought the animals down from Lincolnshire, says tortoises had "become his life".

He has only brought nine of his 27 tortoises down to Devon, but he wants people to "get interactive" with them and ask questions about them.

Tim Hey, from Dorset, has 300 alpacas and is bringing 12 of them to the show.

“The Devon County Show is really, really important for our business and herd, as we get to compare our breeding to other breeders that come from all over the UK to this show,” he says.

“It's a cracking show and I'm really looking forward to it, particularly with the sun shining."

Issy Beard
BBC Radio Devon

Show manager Lisa Moore says: "Preparation has been long and exciting.

"It's lovely to see all the exhibitors and visitors arriving."

About 90,000 people are expected to attend the show over the next few days.

Brodie Owen
BBC South West

Motorists travelling to and from the show, or using the A3052 in east Devon, are being warned by Devon County Council, external to expect "very long delays" as the clear-up continues after recent flooding.

It says ongoing problems in the Newton Poppleford area will add to the hold-ups.

Robert Hughes, from the council, says: “We have deployed extensive resources to deal with the after effects of the flooding and our teams are working as hard as they can to ensure that the roads are safe.”

The Devon County Show is an annual event celebrating all things rural.

The Devon County Agricultural Association, external says the three-day event is a “gigantic shop window” for the agricultural and horticultural sectors - as well as local food and drink, rural crafts and forestry.

Image source, Devon County Show

It dates back to 1872, breaking during both world wars and the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers say the show regularly attracts crowds of more than 90,000 people over three days.

Brodie Owen
BBC South West

Welcome to our live coverage of the opening day of the Devon County Show.

We’ll be bringing you updates from our reporters at Westpoint in Exeter, where the event is being held.

With a packed programme of events and thousands expected to attend, it promises to be a busy day.