School holiday cuts will harm Royal Welsh show, organisers say

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A line up of cows at the Royal Welsh ShowImage source, Getty Images
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The Royal Welsh Show is Europe's largest agricultural event

Plans to cut school holidays could "adversely affect" the Royal Welsh Show, according to organisers.

Under a proposal by the Welsh government, the summer break could be reduced by one week, meaning schools would be open during the event in July.

At the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, chairwoman Nicola Davies said the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Council was "deeply saddened" by the plans.

The Welsh government said it was working on a solution.

It said: "We are working with the organisers and local authorities to support them in making sure learners and staff can attend the Royal Welsh Show."

At the official opening of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair on Monday, Ms Davies encouraged all visitors to respond to the Welsh government's consultation.

"We are deeply saddened by this consultation - as we would be by any plan which would adversely affect other cultural events such as the Eisteddfod," she said.

She added more than 60% of visitors who attend the show in July come from a non-farming background and that the aim was to appeal to people from all backgrounds from all over Wales.