FINAL preparations are underway for Otley Show - now just three weeks away.

Show secretary Janet Raw and her staff are now manning the Bridge Street office full time as entries flood in.

Although there will be no cattle or sheep at the show on Saturday, May 18 at Bridge End - because of continuing tough restrictions following last year's foot and mouth outbreak - Mrs Raw is confident the many other attractions will make the event a great success.

Horse classes will be well attended, poulty entries are at a record high and there will be plenty to see in the produce and craft tents.

"Entries in the horse section have been maintained following the cancellation of many shows last year and therefore many exhibitors are very keen to compete after such a long lay off," she said.

A coup for poultry fanciers, this year, the event will include a regional show for The Poultry Club of Great Britain.

Mrs Raw said: "As a result of this, we've had record entries with exhibitors coming from the North and the midlands to display their birds."

In the produce section, both The Whartons School and St Joseph's RC Primary in Otley have made large entries into the junior section.

Mrs Raw said spaces in the craft marquee and outside on the show field have been quickly snapped up, although there are a few spaces left.

Meanwhile, teams are still needed for the hugely popular Tug 'o War competition.

"In previous years, a few teams have been made up by young farmers, but a number of these clubs have suffered following the foot and mouth crisis, so if anyone feels able to get a team together, they should contact me," added Mrs Raw.

Highlight of the attractions in the main ring will be Cyril the Squirrel Terrier Racing Display. There will be two displays of 40 minutes each and those with their own terrier may take part.

Membership tickets, which include three admission tickets including one for two children, a car pass and three badges for entry into the members' marquee, at the side of the arena, are £15. Show day tickets can be bought from shops in Otley or at the show office.

Show programmes will be available in the week before the event.

Mrs Raw said: "I hope local businesses will give their support by taking advertising space in the programme." Cost of a full page advert is £40, £25 for half a page and £15 for a quarter page.

Although entries have now closed, people may still enter by contacting Janet Raw at the Otley Show Office, Bridge Street, Otley, telephone (01943) 462541 or (07961) 966952 where people can also buy tickets, ask about craft tents and advertising in the show programme.

Last year 's Otley Show, the first agricultural show of the year in the North, was

cancelled completely because of the foot and mouth crisis.

So far this year Askwith Show, which normally takes place in June, has been cancelled for a second year running.

Organisers said tough biosecurity rules still in place following the foot and mouth oubreak meant no animals could have been allowed back on the show field - normally used as grazing - for 21 days.

Arthington Show, on Sunday, July 21 will go ahead, but without cattle and

sheep.

Weeton Show, on Sunday, July 28, has livestock on the programme, but organisers are asking entrants to contact the show nearer the day and is planning the event without livestock.