Royal Welsh animal entries soar

Entries for several breeds of horses are up, says the show

There has been a surge in livestock entries for next month's Royal Welsh Show after fears they would plummet because of the recession.

The event's officials said there had been record entries for sheep, pigs and for several breeds of horses.

Animal numbers for the agricultural showpiece in Llanelwedd, Powys, total 7,583, the highest figure since 2006 and 900 more than last year.

The four-day show will be staged from 20-23 July.

Officials said sheep and goat entries were affected last year by blue tongue restrictions.

Sheep are nearly 600 up on 2008 to 2,948. Show chiefs said that 44 breeds would be represented in the "largest display of its kind in the world".

Pig entry

Royal Welsh Agricultural Society livestock officer Benjamin Williams said: "Fears that the recession would lead to a drop in livestock numbers at next month's Royal Welsh Show have been swept aside by record entries for sheep and pigs and for several breeds in the horse section.

"Totalling 7,583, they are the highest since 2005 and are nearly 900 more than last year when numbers were depleted by bluetongue restrictions."

Cattle entries have also increased by 223 this year to 942, with 192 more in the beef breeds plus an additional 31 dairy animals.

This year's pig entry of 139 is up by 43 on 2008, while goat numbers are also up.

A total of 3,421 entries have been received for the horse and pony classes.