ALTHOUGH the Three Counties Show at Malvern drew fewer visitors than last year, plans are already underway for next year's extravaganza on the same days - Thursday to Saturday.

Chief executive Chris Milne said that after much research, the Thursday to Saturday format was considered the best and the dates for next year's event had already been fixed for June 14-16.

This year's show was blessed with the sunniest weather for years, with temperatures soaring to almost 90 degrees F on the Saturday. The showground became a sea of sun hats and long queues for ice-cream and cool drinks.

Extra people were drafted in to keep sheep and cattle cool and comfortable and as the heatwave gathered momentum, the fire brigade - exhibiting at the event - was called upon to hose down the pig tent on several occasions. Water sprinklers were also in regular use on the roadways.

An attendance figure of 98,000 for the three days was recorded - some 8,000 less than last year - and with the dip being blamed on many farmers staying home to make hay and silage.

Mr Milne said the society was extremely pleased with this year's show and next year it was hoped to attract a Royal visitor. In answer to some critics about the future of the big event, he said that with the show society being satisfied that the Thursday to Saturday format was the best, the show could go forward with bigger and better attractions.

In answer to critics of the standard of main-ring events, Mr Milne said that the Trooping of the Colour had meant the unavailability of military displays but there had been some splendid main ring attractions.

The cattle entries were hit when the dairy classes had to be cancelled at the last minute owing to the spread of bovine tuberculosis and falling milk prices.

But this year there were six new commercial cattle classes which attracted so much interest that the society had to close entries before the June 1 deadline. The society plans to build on the commercial section for next year with the introduction of further breed classes.

Winner of the supreme champion beef exhibit was a cow, Kinaston Iola, owned by Mr R E Kinnish of Bridgnorth. The first prize of £3,500 in the showjumping went to owner and rider Charles Carnall of Anglesey.

Some members of the farming community said that they were disappointed at the drop in the number of machinery stands. But there was much praise for the countryside area which drew thousands of visitors.

And the Food Fair was a big attraction. In fact, it was so successful that plans are afoot to make it bigger and better for next year. With so many producers closely tied in with farm food, it seems a logical extension.