TENS of thousands of people are expected to visit the Cheshire Show over the next 48 hours.

The two-day show opens today at the County Showground at Tabley, near Knutsford.

Forecasters have predicted heavy rain showers for today, but plenty of sunshine and highs of 23°C for tomorrow.

And organisers believe attendance figures at this year's event could smash all previous records, after experiencing an unprecedented number of advance ticket sales.

Nigel Evans, executive director of the show, said: "Advance ticket sales have been hitting record numbers with people looking for a great value day out.

"I've never known anything like it in the show's history.

"We have gone the extra mile this year to give people an action-packed fantastic show with something for all ages and interests.

"We are looking forward to having our special guest David Bellamy with us again who keeps returning."

Being launched this year is the Countryside Experience, which will give visitors a chance to get hands on practice of outdoor activities such as archery, and clay shooting.

In the Main Ring displays from UK leading quad biker Jason Smyth and his Adrenaline Tour, as well as stunning falconry displays from Knutsford-based Gauntlet Birds of Prey Eagle and Vulture Park, will entertain the crowds.

Visitors will be able to meet and chat with special guests Professor David Bellamy and Alex Langlands, star of BBC's Victorian Farm, as well as viewing the hundreds of animals competing for awards.

Mr Bellamy, who is making his third appearance at the show, said: "The Cheshire Show is a fantastic celebration of the county and its agricultural community who have been working these soils for hundreds of years."

Archeologist Alex, who lived for a year as a Victorian farmer for the TV series, will don his Victorian dress and talk to visitors at the Cheshire Show about the farming techniques he used, and the craft skills needed to live on the Victorian farm.

However, organisers of the show have been forced to scrap a free shuttle bus service to the show ground this year. The event, which is run as a charity, scrapped the service from Knutsford and Hartford stations because of the cost.