THE Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society today officially announced the date for this year's Royal Lancashire Show.

The show will take place on the 27, 28 and 29 July and will be celebrating the very best of agricultural and rural life.

Lancashire's beautiful Ribble Valley will be the home for the show for the second year running. The 120-acres of farmland at Salesbury Hall Farm, Ribchester has been selected by Society Officials as it offers the space required to accommodate all the activities and entertainment planned for 2004.

The official announcement of the dates follows months of meetings and discussion to review operational issues following the cancellation of the third day of the 2003 show.

Chairman, Rennie Pinder, said: "The Society is delighted to be moving forward with the organisation of this year's Royal Lancashire Show and welcome people to apply for stand space and enter classes. We are confident that because this showground is so large, that it will once again attract a huge number of exhibitors and competitors, and will allow us to host great family entertainment.

"It was disappointing for the Society to take the decision to cancel the third day of last year's show, after so many people had worked extremely hard to bring it together. Thousands of people enjoyed the first two days and many trade stands reported brisk trade. However, the safety of the general public, exhibitors and, of course, the animals was our highest priority.

"Since last July, numerous meetings have been attended with relevant organisations such as Health and Safety experts, the police and Ribble Borough Council to explore ways of eliminating or minimising any of the problems that were experienced. We will shortly be providing details of these new operational arrangements."

Dating back to 1767, the Royal Lancashire Show is one of the oldest of its kind in the country and showcases the best of rural and agricultural communities.

There will be in excess of 700 competitive classes for a huge variety of sections from equestrian sports, ponies and donkeys to traditional stick carving with competitors vying for coveted silverware. Livestock classes, including beef and dairy cattle, pig, sheep and goats will also be returning.

Ladies Day, inspired by Royal Ascot, once again brings a sense of glamour to the occasion and food lovers can enjoy the taste of local produce including Lancashire Cheese and Lancashire honey.

Rennie Pinder said: "We hope that lots of people will take the opportunity to visit the Royal Lancashire Show for a true 'rural experience'.