KILNSEY Show organisers are planning a one-off food and farming awareness event which will make the 110th show the biggest yet.

Five additional marquees have been organised to house extra demonstrations and displays.

Three chefs - one from the Devonshire Arms, at Bolton Abbey - will give a demonstration on food preparation and cooking, and specialists in game and herbs will share their knowledge with show visitors.

There will also be a larger Northern Dales Farmers' Market tent, a special art tent featuring artists' impressions of the Dales, a Food for Real display and international competitions involving Young Farmers' Club members.

Farming experts will also be on hand giving demonstrations and talks on hill and upland farming, with animals in special viewing pens.

And there will be information on the progression of farming practice, from horse-drawn machinery to modern equipment.

Robert Lambert, chairman of the Kilnsey Show Committee, said the day promised to be a superb event.

"It is costing a huge amount to put on because we are putting up five extra massive 100-feet-long tents to house the displays, but it will be the biggest show yet. We hope to get around 20,000 people through the gates," he added The Government is launching its Year of Food and Farming initiative on September 1, so the event at Kilnsey on Tuesday August 28 will give it a kick-start.

The event is being sponsored by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, who are patrons this year and will open the show.

Further financial help has come from Craven District Council and Yorkshire Forward, and the Arts Council has also had an input.

In addition, a great deal of support has been given by the Northern Dales Farmers' Markets through the Hill Farming Initiative.

The idea to hold the one-off event was first brought to the committee's attention by Alastair Davy, of the Northern Dales Farmers' Markets, as a potential fore-runner to the Government campaign. The group organises farmers' markets in several Craven towns.

Mr Davy told the Herald: "This really will be a special show which is costing around £19,000 for the additional events, mainly through the cost of the huge tents.

"It already attracts a lot of people, but these additional demonstrations and displays will really help people to understand the importance of supporting farming and how preserving the landscape plays its part in tourism.

"It is aimed at increasing awareness of the Dales and what they are about. Hopefully, it will be just the sort of informative event that will attract and interest city people and show them the sorts of things you find in the hills if you haven't been to them.

"Even if it is a wet day, most of the displays are under cover so people will be able to enjoy the whole show," he said.

This year's show president will be Gerry Stockdale. It will also include all the regular attractions, including dairy and beef stock judging, sheep and lamb judging, horticulture, crafts, home produce, vintage vehicles, fell racing and harness racing.