THE Three Counties Agricultural Society show is back on track in a big way this year, not only returning with full livestock classes but hosting the National Rare Breeds event for the first time.

The three-day extravaganza at Malvern will be from June 13-15 and will retain the name of the Countryside Show, partly because of the huge success of the new and enlarged countryside section.

Sharon Gilbert, press officer for the society, said: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Rare Breeds who approached us. Together with the return of livestock and the introduction of many other attractions it should be a really excellent show."

Last year, livestock classes were cancelled because of the foot-and-mouth precautions and attendances slumped to around 80,000 but this time the organisers are confident that they will be back to the usual 100,000-plus for the three days.

The Rare Breeds event on the Sunday will be opened by poet Pam Ayres, herself a Rare Breeds enthusiast.

The judging will allow the bulk of the main show's livestock classes to be held on the Friday and Saturday and enable farmers to return home on the Saturday night. "We are hoping that this will encourage more livestock entries," said Sharon.

On the Friday, there will be judging for the beef cattle, pigs, lamb carcasses, interbreed championships and sheep shearing.

Saturday will see judging in the dairy and dual-purpose cattle rings, stock-judging for Young Farmers' Clubs and an auction of lamb carcasses.

Two new events will be the all breeds dairy calf show and a young handlers' competition on the Sunday.

The traditional spectacle of the grand parade will take place on both days.

Besides the Rare Breeds Show on Sunday, there will be classes for dairy, and angora goats and alpacas.