THE sights, sounds and flavours of Cheshire’s agricultural heritage will be showcased to an audience of more than 80,000 next week.

Preparations for the Cheshire County Show, a two-day extravaganza to be held on June 21 and 22 , are well under way.

Thousands of animals will compete for coveted titles at the Tabley Showground and the Sainsbury’s Agri-Centre will give guests an insight into farming methods and the journey of food from plough to plate.

Nigel Evans, executive director of the show, said: “As the county’s agricultural organisation, we have a duty to inform visitors to the show about the importance of the countryside and the agricultural industry. We want to educate our visitors so they appreciate the importance of where their food comes from, the hard work put into the food chain by farmers and how they can help the local economy by buying local products.”

The main display ring will host the daredevil stunts of the Bolddogs motorcyclists, a birds of prey flying display and a series of live music. Food-lovers can sample a variety of tasty treats in the Roberts Bakery Food Hall and watch professional chefs in action at the bakery’s Food Live Theatre.

And families can take part in a hands-on introduction to outdoor activities including clay shooting and archery and there will be demonstrations of duck herding, falconry, ferreting, gun dogs and horse log-pulling to enjoy.

Guests are also encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for special visitors to the show including race horse trainer Jenny Pitman and television vet Joe Inglis, star of Vets in Practice and Blue Peter.

For information on the show, visit cheshirecountyshow.org.uk.

CORONATION Street stars will swap the cobbles for the Cheshire County Show next week.

Charlie Lawson, who played Jim MacDonald in the Manchester soap, now runs his own business in Prestbury selling quality produce.

And at the two-day event, he will talk about his steps from The Street to the store.

“You only live once and after 35 years as an actor I thought the time was right to try a new challenge and I’m looking forward to chatting to show visitors about my acting career and my new farm shop venture,” said Charlie.

His talk will take place in the Roberts Bakery Food Hall and Food Live Theatre Joining him at this year’s show will be fellow former Coronation Street star Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt for 20 years.

He has since established the successful Saddleworth Cheese Company and will be showcasing his latest handmade cheese alongside Charlie in the hall.

A FAMILY food business will return to the Cheshire Show with its variety of home-made goodies.

Established in 1974, Cottage Delight produceS a wide range of speciality foods from preserves, chutneys, pickles, sauces, biscuits and cakes to pasta, pate and dipping oils.

Sarah Williams, brand manager, said: “We source only the finest quality ingredients for all our products and collaborate with the best artisan producers across the world to ensure the most authentic recipes and to maintain small batch production methods.

“This is vital to the quality of our foods, resulting in that unmistakable home-made taste.”

A VARIETY of water-saving gadgets and gizmos will be up for grabs at the show, courtesy of United Utilities.

The company will have a water efficiency marquee where visitors can pick up tips to save water in the garden and home this summer – as well as offering free goodies for all.

These include save-a-flush devices for toilet cisterns, shower regulators, water sticks for plants and water crystals, to be mixed with soil in plant pots, allowing water to be released more slowly.

There will also be a daily prize draw.