EYEING the leaden skies over Malvern as she stood on a dais to open the Royal Three Counties Show, the Princess Royal announced to her audience, some of whom were dressed in their summer finery: "I can reassure you there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. With that in mind, I have a change in the car!"

Fortunately the early rain that had threatened the event's first day, cleared away to allow the Princess an umbrella-free five hour walk around the 70 acre showground, during which she visited the livestock lines, the equestrian village and many of the specialist sections and stalls.

Opening the show, of which she is patron, Princess Anne said: "It is important work is done to encourage the next generation and that is why an event like this is so useful because it promotes and encourages the range of skills in agriculture."

The Princess also presented 13 long service awards to employees of members of the Three Counties Agricultural Society. Among them were David Pearce, who lives at Madresfield, near Malvern and received a silver award to mark 46 years service at Bennetts Farms, Lower Wick, Worcester, and Patrick Nance of Newbridge Green, near Upton upon Severn, who received a silver bar for 50 years at AWD Perrins of Upton.

The top award, the long service cup and silver bar, went to Desmond Cox for 50 years at RA Bradstock and Partners at Tarrington, Hereford.

Swelling the first day crowds this year were more than 3,500 children from more than 60 schools across the three counties who had been admitted free as part of an initiative to encourage the younger generation.

One exhibit illustrated the show's diversity these days. The White Space Dome had been brought to Malvern by the European Space Agency and featured scientists Dr Beth Healey and Alexander Finch on hand to explain the similarities between Antarctic and space exploration.

Meanwhile, at the Three Counties Big Breakfast, CLA president Ross Murray, said: "With all the pressures on agriculture, farmers needed to have a second income through some sort of diversification. In the long term farmers don't want to depend on public support, but to be able to stand on their own feet."

However, Mr Murray said he was optimistic about the future of farming. "There is a growing need for food and I believe we will be alright" he added.

Alan Wilkinson, head of agriculture at HSBC Bank, said: "We must ensure we can compete internationally and we need to go out and seek new markets."

He told farmers: "You are part of a really important industry in the UK, generating £100bn for the economy." But he added: "We have got to adapt change if necessary and make sure businesses are linked to our own food chain. There is a lot of change, a lot of challenge, but also a lot of opportunity."