FERRETS, falconry, fishing and food; guns, gifts, game and gardens - just a handful of the 800 exhibits on offer at the world's largest countryside exhibition to be held at Harewood House this summer.

The three-day event will run from August 1 until August 3 and promises a hands-on, interactive experience.

Visitors will be able to try their hand at shooting, 4x4 driving, fishing and even ferret racing as well as countless other activities - all available with expert tuition on hand.

The event promises an exciting look at the countryside and will showcase traditional pursuits alongside the new.

The Game Fair will also pay tribute to some of the individuals who have contributed their time and skills to the countryside and country pursuits in the form of a range of awards.

These include a Long Service Award to Gamekeepers award, a Contribution to the Countryside Award and a Services to Angling award.

Last year the event was held at Broadlands Estate, Hampshire, and was attended by 126,000 visitors.

This summer the fair will be hosted by Viscount Lascelles - son of the Duke of Harewood.

One of the newer and more exciting features of this year's show is entitled simply 'New Countryside'. It is being put together by Robert Ropner, of Camp Hill Outdoor Pursuits Centre, near Bedale.

If you ever fancied playing Tarzan or being Indiana Jones for a day, swinging through the forest on a network of vines, bouncing 40 feet off a trampoline, or merely learning to fly, dive, pothole or jet ski then this is the area for you,

Mr Ropner said: "We are putting together a feature which shows Game Fair visitors what else is out there. There are a vast number of activities which are keeping the rural economy going and they are far removed from the traditional concepts of rural pursuits. The idea behind New Countryside is to provide opportunities for participation, backed up by plenty of information, for every kind of recreational activity people can enjoy in rural Yorkshire."

If the armoured personnel carriers, helicopters, climbing walls and laser combat are not enough to get the adrenaline running then Mr Ropner will be launching his new leading edge ropes course - the nearest thing you can find in this country to an Amazon rain forest -with plenty of vines to swing through.

Mr Ropner said: "Most of our Game Fair visitors have some affinity with traditional country sports. This feature is breaking the mould, demonstrating many of the other ways that the countryside supports our tourist industry and how our diversified rural economy helps support jobs and services in our rural communities.

"At the same time it will be great fun and it will be a real - and different - reason to visit the biggest celebration of the countryside there is."

If you prefer the quieter life then the 'Village Life Experience' could be of interest. This is an interactive area that promises to demonstrate, in an entertaining way, the many elements that are vital for village and rural life. This feature will use a village street faade with activities going on behind each building front. It will include a real shop, a 'school' with activities for all the family, a police station where crime prevention advice will be available, a village hall, and that all-important social gathering point - the pub.

The Village Life Experience will be centred round a village green where children's coaching clinics will be offered by Leeds United, Leeds Rhinos and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

A village fete will take place complete with a Punch and Judy show and Tug of War. Children are not forgotten in the show's line-up. There will be a professionally run creche on site for children between the ages of two and eight.

But for those wanting to get involved, there are opportunities to race ferrets, hunt bugs, shoot airguns or get on the 4x4 course with an adult.

Making it's second appearance at the fair this year is the Elegant Gardens feature. Chelsea Flower Show medal winners will show alongside other award winning floral exhibitors.

Advice will be available on all aspects of gardening and garden design plus the opportunity to gather tips from the show gardens.

If, after all this, visitors are starting to feel a little peckish then the smells drifting over from the Cookery Demonstration Theatre will be too much to bear. A full programme of demonstrations is lined up with top chefs showcasing their talents.

A guest appearance from Marlon Dingle, aka Mark Charnock, of Emmerdale fame is scheduled for him to take part in a 'cook-off' with some of the region's top chefs.

Then if you are looking for such delicacies as wild boar pate, potted shrimps or simply a venison pasty, the Food Court should be your first stop.

Alongside the larger traders, Yorkshire Pantry will feature some of the region's small food producers and a Farmers' Market.

However, if you have come prepared with your own lunch, then relax in the picnic area while being entertained by live musicians.

The three-day event sounds packed with chances to shop, have a go, or just spectate while the professionals show you how it's done.

Meanwhile the Game Fair may provide a few ideas for regeneration of rural business, and show that the countryside is not just a pretty place.

Tickets for the CLA Game Fair are available in advance. Telephone 0870 126 1755.