About 100,000 people are expected to attend the three-day Pembrokeshire County show at Withybush near Haverfordwest after a two-year break because of foot-and-mouth.

The show injects about �7m into the local economy

John Evans, show vice-president

One of the biggest crowd-pulling displays has been staged by the Welsh axemen with lumberjacks climbing up 80-foot poles.

Last week, the United Counties event was held in Carmarthen which about 30,000 people attended.

Organisers have said that although the Pembrokeshire show - believed to be second only in size to the Royal Welsh - is primarily an agricultural event, it has expanded its appeal to attract visitors from outside the industry.

The event is important not only to agriculture but also tourism in the area.

John Evans, the show's vice president said: "We are proud to be back.

"It means so much to Pembrokeshire as a whole not just the farming community.

"The show injects about �7m into the local economy.

"People come to the area just for the show and spend money here."

Although there were no cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Pembrokeshire, livestock entries are down for this year, reflecting the trend at other shows across Wales.

Entries for some classes are down

Precautions against the disease have been put in place and visitors have been asked to walk over disinfected mats.

The show provides the farming unions with an opportunity to meet their members and to lobby political points.

Peter Davies of the Farmers Union of Wales said it is an important social gathering.

"It is a marvellous shop window for our industry," he said.

"It is also a chance for us to meet up with politicians to get our point of view across."

Class acts

There are more than 550 trade stands at the show and an enormous food hall puts the emphasis on buying local produce.

Beef and dairy cattle classes were being judged on Tuesday along with Welsh ponies.

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural society, which stages the show, was founded in 1784 by William Knox. This will be the 43rd time the event has been held on the Wityhbush site.