LEADER of the National Farmers Union Ben Gill will have a head-to-head with local farmers at the Three Counties Summer Show tomorrow.

"I am very pleased to be able to spend a day at the show and to have the opportunity to meet members of the local agricultural community," Mr Gill said.

He added: "I think it reflects great credit on the organisers that they have put together what looks like a very attractive event despite the problems caused by foot and mouth in the Three Counties."

Three Counties Agricultural Society chief executive Chris Milne said: "This three-day show has replaced the traditional Three Counties Show and was born out of difficult circumstances of the foot and mouth epidemic.

"It meant the show was unable to have agriculture as its central focus but we feel that Mr Gill's attendance will increase the interest of the farming community in this year's event."

The NFU Food and Farming Roadshow, presented by Johnny Ball, will be at the show where more than 40 farming-based organisations and firms will be exhibiting.

One lucky entrant to the Heart of England fine foods "Summer Alfresco Dining Competition will win a fantastic four course menu for eight people. Including drinks, delivered to their door.

The menu has been specially created to include all the seasonal tastes of an English summer, from local meats, fruits and salads to speciality yoghurts and award-winning wine, all made or produced locally, prepared and delivered by Heather Blythe who has cooked for the Royal Family.

"We wanted to recreate the feel of the summer using seasonal food," said Karen Davies, Heart of England fine food chief executive Karen Davies. "We have recipe leaflets available on the stand and everything can be bought locally. There is an abundance of local producers in the Food Marquee with speciality regional foods to taste and buy."

l SHEEP farmers have been warned to buy breeding rams in good time to go in with their ewes. Foot and mouth disease restrictions means that it can take up to a month from the initial approach to a breeder before a farmer can let a new ram in with his flock.

This is because of the time it takes to apply for a movement licence, have the ram inspected by a vet and then comply with the new 20 day isolation period imposed by DEFRA.