THE Devon County Show has been postponed.

It will now take place on August 9-11 instead of May 17-19 due to the present foot and mouth crisis.

A decision to postpone rather than cancel was taken because of the adverse impact the latter would have had not only on the Show but also on exhibitors and trade stand holders.

'We have therefore adopted as positive a stance as possible and changed the dates,' said David Parish, Devon County Show honorary director.

A meeting of members of the livestock committee is due to take place next week to discuss the schedule in detail.

'Not only will we be looking at class criteria but also the viability of allowing exhibitors to attend this year on a daily basis.'

As there are other shows that week Mr Parish said hopefully this would allow people to attend the shows of their choice.

The show organisers have also written to the breed societies to ask them for advice to ensure that as many classes as possible specific to all shows can be arranged to avoid a potential clash.

l The Royal Cornwall Show has been put back to September because of the foot and mouth outbreak.

The show is normally staged in June and attracts more than 110,000 people, and the organisers are confident the rescheduled show will be just as popular.

The decision to postpone the show was taken this week at a special meeting.

Show secretary Christopher Riddle said the decision was taken to safeguard the show and in recognition of the crisis the disease has caused in the agricultural industry.

He added: 'From a tourism point of view anything to help extend the season will, I am sure, be welcomed.'

The new dates for the show are September 13-15, and a massive exercise is now underway to contact trade and livestock exhibitors, as well as caterers, musicians and contractors.