In pictures: Families flock to Balmoral Show

Competition in the Balmoral Show livestock categories is as fierce as ever

Thousands of people are attending this year's Balmoral Show, which opened its gates on Wednesday morning.

The show is a highlight of Northern Ireland's agricultural calendar and features livestock competitions, trade stands and family entertainment.

This is the 154th Balmoral Show and the third since it was cancelled in spring 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ciara Mollan and her three-year-old daughter Darcy were smiling through the rain on day one

Day one included a show-jumping competition

Organisers expect that more than 120,000 people will attend the show at the Eikon Centre near Lisburn

Budding young farmer Ethan from Royal Hillsborough in County Down couldn't wait to get behind the wheel

Others youngsters even had their own livestock to show off

Leanne Green is hoping to win a rosette with her bull