NEXT year, Monmouthshire Show moves from Vauxhall to a new picturesque riverside site near Monmouth which is expected to become a permanent venue.

The show society has been busy preparing the 100-acre site it owns at Wyesham by fencing, draining, levelling and reseeding the land and laying down trackways to ensure good access whatever the weather.

Although the land is in an area of outstanding natural beauty alongside the River Wye, the society hopes in the longer term to provide a permanent pavilion for members and organisations to make use of the facilities throughout the year.

A launch event is being held at the new site on Friday, September 22, to which sponsors and trade stand holders have been invited.

A society spokesman said: "Vauxhall is a lovely showground close to the town but will not be sustainable for ever.

"There are several owners of the land and access is not good.

"So far, traffic flow projections indicate that access to the new showground should be good."

Traffic hold-ups marred the well-attended and excellent show last Thursday.

With vehicle access restricted to one side of the showground, long queues built up during the morning and late afternoon.

Herefordshire livestock exhibitors were to the fore.

For the second year in succession, the overall champion sheep was a Suffolk ram lamb exhibited by young brothers Rhys and Will Samuel, of Droitwich, the grandchildren of Mr and Mrs Viv Samuel, of St Weonards.

The champion Hereford was from the Llancillo Hall herd, Pandy.