WITH a big surge in livestock entries for next week's four-day Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells, entries top 8,000 - eclipsing the record-breaking 7,500 received for last year's centenary event.

The record livestock entry is being matched by main ring entertainment with one of the world's most sensational displays of horses and horsemanship firmly in the spotlight.

The Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art is internationally famous for its dancing horses and the Como Bailan los Caballos Andaluces, an intricate equestrian ballet, performed to Spanish music and in traditional 19th century dress.

It is believed this will be the first time for the ballet to be seen in Britain and the Spanish ambassador to the UK was being invited to attend. Demonstrations will be on each of the four days.

Trade stand space has been sold out since February with more than 95% of traders returning from last year. More than 200 applications had to be turned down.

Sponsorship for the show presently stands at £253,410 in cash and £57,546 in kind - more than £48,000 up on the same time last year.

The show runs from Monday to Thursday.