LOVEABLE Ted Clydesdale, the gentle giant of a carthorse immortalised as the lead character in a fast-selling children's book, is to make a guest appearance at the Three Counties Show.

Ted's owner, Sally Oultram, author of The Story of Ted, is entering her beautiful Clydesdale in the Heavy Horse section of the annual food and farming spectacular which runs from Friday, June 17, to Sunday, June 19. Ted, who is soon to star in a feature film about his life, will be parading in the main arena on Rare Breeds Day, the last day of the show.

Show manager Doreen Smillie said: "Ted Clydesdale has become a popular character with children and we're delighted that he will be coming to our show."

Equestrian entries for the show are extremely good overall and heavy horses, always a popular feature with showgoers, have reached record levels. The single heavy horse turnout in the main arena on Friday has a total of 18 entries, there will be 16 pairs of heavy horses in the main arena on Saturday and on Sunday there are a spectacular ten team turnouts, 40 horses in all.

Heavy horse enthusiasts will be pleased to see that there is a new heavy horse village, with three in-hand classes for all breeds and heavy horse obstacle driving.

This year's event features top quality livestock, a military village and a country living village, a shop till you drop area with everything from fine furniture and country crafts on sale and featuring flowers, poultry, antiques, bees and honey, vintage tractors and Guild of Crafts.

The country sports area alongside the lake will include hunting, shooting, fishing and gun dog scurry together with falconry and ferrets and a live smithing competition each day.

Main arena entertainment includes the grand parade of livestock, the Red Devils Parachute Team, the White Helmets Motorbike Display Team and Paws for Thought Dog Agility.