Suffolk Show returns to 'champion' local farming

More than 90,000 people are expected at the two-day event at Trinity Park on the eastern outskirts of Ipswich

A 192-year-old agricultural show is "bringing people together" to "champion" a county's farming.

Suffolk Show director John Taylor said the county's farmers have had "some ups and downs over the last year" adding the show was "good for wellbeing".

More than 90,000 people are expected over the course of the two-day event at Trinity Park, Ipswich.

Hundreds of sheep, cattle and horses, as well as food and drink stalls, will be at the event.

The annual show was paused during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but returned last year with 90,000 visitors, Mr Taylor said.

The show brings "people together" to "champion" the county's farming

Gates opened at 07:00 BST and crowds have been flocking in

The fairground features traditional rides such as a wooden helter skelter

Over the two days, people will be able to see show jumping, terrier racing and sheep and pig judging in its show rings.

The Farm Discovery Zone will offer activities such as pony grooming and help educate children about farming.

The Suffolk Show is "about promoting food and farming in the county" and the atmosphere is "tremendous", Mr Taylor said.

BBC Radio Suffolk has a stand there with Wednesday's breakfast show with Luke Deal (06:00-10:00 BST) broadcasting live from the site, with Wayne Bavin's mid-morning show live on site on Thursday (10:00-14:00).

BBC reporters will bring further flavours of the event across the two days, and there will be further coverage on Look East.

Over the two days, the main arenas feature show jumping, terrier racing and horse, cattle, sheep and pig judging

The show helps educate children about farming

Organisers said it "brings in a huge amount into the economy of Suffolk"

Mr Taylor, who farms at Clopton near Woodbridge, said some farmers had "had it bad" in the past year, but the community had "got to adjust our farming lifestyle for the future".

He said the show "brings in a huge amount into the economy of Suffolk" and it was "about promoting food and farming in the county".

"I've made so many friends in the farming community at this show, and that's enriched me and my fellow volunteers here," he added.