THE Tourist Information Centre in Tavistock will be selling tickets for the forthcoming Okehampton Show for the first time.

Show secretary Gilly Oliver said she was delighted the TIC had agreed to do so: 'We hope that making tickets available in the town will help attract more people from the Tavistock area.'

The show on Thursday, August 13, at the Stoney Park showground just outside Okehampton, will include heavy horses, barrel racing, a parade of hounds, vintage vehicles and a host of entertainments and craft skills.

There will also be 25 Devon-based producers in the Devon Food Hall, including Hogs Bottom Garden Delights, Countryman Cider and Pyman Pates from Tavistock.

There will many exhibitors from the Tavistock area in all sections of the show, including W P Dawe and Son exhibiting Greyface Dartmoor Sheep. The Greyface Dartmoor Sheep Breeders' Association is enjoying its centenary year and Okehampton Show is offering special prizes in recognition of this anniversary.

John Pugh, of Sampford Manor Alpacas, Tavistock, will be a trade stand exhibitor, selling alpaca products and bringing along a couple of his animals.

Gilly said: 'People who come up from Tavistock to the event tell us that they are amazed how big the show is and what it has to offer. Its a real excellent day out for all the family.

'The animals are the core of the show and we have excellent entries, with 272 cattle, more than 800 sheep, 420 horse entries, together with healthy pig, dairy and pygmy goat numbers. The poultry and rabbit entries have not yet closed but the organisers say they are expecting good numbers.'

At the show Tavistock Twirlers Majorettes will be giving a great performance of a dance twirl, pom-pom routine, rounding off with a terrific military display.

Both seniors and juniors will be performing and they will provide a rousing start and finish to barrel racing in the main ring.

Tug of war returns to the show this year. This was a popular feature when the event was held in the town many years ago and it is hoped that people who have been at work will enjoy a couple of hours at the showground in the early evening — the competition is due to start at 6pm with eight teams taking part in 640 kilogram and catchweight classes and two teams in the ladies challenge.

Entry is free after 5.30pm and refreshments will still be available in the evening.

Ticket prices for Okehampton Show are £10 for adults, £3 for children aged five to 14, and £20 family ticket (two adults, two children). Advance price tickets are also available (adults only) at £8.

For more information contact the show secretary on 01837 861322 or visit http://www.okehamptonshow.co.uk">www.okehamptonshow.co.uk

l People in the Tavistock area going to this year's show may like to take advantage of a 50-seater courtesy coach departing on Thursday, August 13, from outside the Bedford Hotel at 9am and returning there at 5pm. It will be filled on a first come, first served basis with no reservation procedure.