IF it's big and long and juicy, then it's almost certain to be on display at Malvern Autumn Show this weekend

The seasonal extravaganza of giant vegetables, succulent fruits and the best of the harvest takes place on the Three Counties showground on Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27. This year marks the event's 20th birthday and around 60,000 visitors are expected to enjoy a feast of family entertainment, equestrian athleticism, artisan produce, food and gardening royalty.

Ken Nottage, chief executive of the Three Counties Agricultural Society, said: “Malvern Autumn Show is a weekend for florists, foodies, farmers and families alike. Plans are firmly coming together now for this year’s event, which is just days away. We’re expecting floods of visitors to join us to celebrate the opulence of autumn and the harvest season.”

The UK National Giant Vegetable Championship promises to make a big impression with a broad variety of oversized vegetables. This record-breaking area promises monster marrows, colossal carrots and more, while the Home Grown section will welcome a record-breaking number of entries, 20 per cent more than in 2014, with more than 1,800 exhibits from budding growers. A bountiful crop of vegetables, apples, dessert pears, soft fruit and flowers from professionals will also be on display in the Harvest Pavilion.

Valentine Warner, renowned cook and food writer, will headline the event’s Good Life Pavilion. With a number of live cookery demonstrations, Valentine will share his signature style of seasonal, simple robust and flavoursome food from his four best selling cookery books. Fern Verrow, visionary biodynamic growers and exclusive suppliers to Skye Gyngell’s Somerset House restaurant Spring, will also be making an appearance. Jane and Harry from Fern Verrow will be cooking their favourite recipes fresh from their 16-acre farm at the foothills of the Black Mountains.

The show’s Food & Drink Hall will be overflowing with artisan producers. At its heart will be a live kitchen welcoming a talented line up of local chefs throughout the day including foraging expert, Liz Knight. In the Kitchen Garden theatre, Otter Farm’s Mark Diacono will be bringing cooking advice fresh from his home farm and experience as head gardener at River Cottage.

New for 2015 is the Autumn Floral Fiesta, a vibrant floral display extravaganza. Headed by Jonathan Moseley of BBC’s Big Allotment Challenge, visitors can see floral demonstrations from florists and British cut growers.

The Good Life Pavilion will feature a huge allotment through which visitors can meander and pull up a perch to share top tips on preparing produce from plot to plate. BBC Gardener’s World presenter Joe Swift will be sharing expert gardening and growing advice together with Jim Buttress of BBC2’s The Big Allotment Challenge.

In the main arena there will be thrilling displays by Galloping Acrobatics,while dray rides by headline sponsor Westons Cider Visitors Centre give families a tour of the showground. Get up close with four-legged and farmyard friends in the World of Animals, supported by Bredon School. 2015 visitors include a 27-year-old Shetland pony who has been visiting the show since the early days, together with a very rare Eriskay pony. Dog Agility displays in the Main Arena continue the furry fun.

Tickets are available on the gate at £18 for adults and £7 for children. Family and group tickets are available. For information on ticket prices visit www.malvernautumnshow.co.uk or call 01684 230128.

ENDS