With just over a week to go until this year's Great Yorkshire Show opens its gates to visitors - it's set to be another huge success, with major increases in advance tickets sales.

Held at the Great Yorkshire Showground on the edge of the spa town of Harrogate, the 149th Show takes place from Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 July and showcases the very best of British farming and rural life, as well as being a fun day out. Last year's event attracted a record-breaking crowd of 135,111.

Group and coach company bookings are up on last year by 44% and tickets sold through the showground's own ticket office up by 13%.

Along with top-class international showjumping, which culminates on the Thursday afternoon with the prestigious Ripon Select Foods Cock o' the North Championship, there are hundreds of trade stands and thousands of animals, demonstrations of rural crafts, mouth-watering arrays of regional food and drink, fabulous floral displays and the chance to get hands-on with countryside activities.

Bill Cowling, Show Director said: "We have a reputation for presenting a superb show and I am confident that will certainly be the case this year. We have record breaking entries, all our trade space is let and our advance ticket sales are exceptional. We have an excellent well drained site, and even with all the recent heavy rain, the car parks and ground itself have not suffered. It will be business as usual at the Show."

Over the three days there will be more than 8,000 competitive entries being judged, with exhibitors from around the country battling it out to take the honours in everything from honey-making to sheep-shearing, as well as the more traditional livestock classes.

Style enthusiasts should make their way to the Skipton Building Society Fashion Pavilion, where garments by some of Yorkshire's best up-and-coming designers will be presented on the catwalk by the Louise Morton Model Agency. The shows take place daily at 11am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm and also feature the six finalists in the Yorkshire Fashion Idol 2007 competition, as well as a range of organic wedding gowns from Yorkshire Brides.

As well as plenty of opportunities to get interactive in the Discovery Zone, children will also love Creatures Great and Small, a new feature for the 2007 Show sponsored by Burgess Supafeeds.

The fun includes sheep racing and duck herding in a special arena, while Cyril the Squirrel and his Racing Terriers tackle National Hunt-style jumps around an end-to-end course. Rolo and Polo are looking forward to meeting their fans at the Lineham Farm Children's Centre stand, and there will also be alpacas and small animals including guinea pigs, otters, ferrets hens and ducks.

Fans of the ITV series, Zoo Vet, should also make time to visit the Burgess Supafeeds stand on the Tuesday of the show, where the programme's star, Matt Brash, will be signing copies of his first novel.

For a taste of the very finest Yorkshire produce, head for the Food Show. As well as fantastic cookery demonstrations in the Great Yorkshire Cheese and Dairy Cookery Theatre, there will be samples galore on offer at the numerous stands, and the chance to stock up on some of the region's most delicious goodies.

Advance tickets can be bought up to and including Wednesday 4 July or after that date from Morrison Stores and Tourist Information Centres. For more details telephone 01423 541222 or see the website at www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

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