Yoko Ono with the bronze of John Lennon at the airport named after the singer.

The bronze figure will be unveiled at the agricultural showpiece in July to mark the event's centenary.

Cast by Castle Fine Arts foundry in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Powys, it will be located on the showground.

But it is unclear who will unveil the feature, although there is speculation the Queen and Prince Phillip will do the honours.

It's quite a complex process to make the feature, but it's a prestigious item for a prestigious event and we're delighted to be involved. Paul Dalton, works manager Castle Fine Arts

The statue of John Lennon overlooks the check-in hall at the airport that bears the legend's name in Liverpool.

It was revealed to the world by the ex-Beatle's widow Yoko Ono in March, 2002.

The Royal Welsh project of a shepherd flanked by a sheepdog and a Welsh Mountain ram, is the latest in a long line of high-profile jobs for Castle Fine Arts.

Also in 2002, it produced a 30ft bronze sculpture for Manchester's Commonwealth Games.

In 2001, the firm worked on three nine-foot statues showing football legend Sir Stanley Matthews at different stages of his 30-year career.

Unveiled by Kevin Keegan and Sir Stanley's daughter Jean Gough, it stands outside Stoke City's Britannia Stadium.

Paul Dalton, works manager at the foundry in the village in mid Wales, more famous for its waterfall rather than its art, said: "We've worked with the artist Chris Kelly on the shepherd, ram and dog statue.

"We've completed the farmer but we have the ram and the dog to complete.

"It's quite a complex process to make the feature, but it's a prestigious item for a prestigious event and we're delighted to be involved.

Castle Fine Arts also cast this tribute to the football legend

"The whole project, when it's complete, will have taken about a year."

The figure of a shepherd has been chosen as the most symbolic and traditional image of Welsh farming.

"We had difficulty making the final choice," said Royal Welsh chief executive, David Walters.

"In the end, however, we came to the conclusion that this particular design best encapsulated farming in Wales in an instantly recognisable and appealing form and we hope everyone will find the sculpture pleasing and attractive."

The statue has cost £25,000 and has been sponsored by the Principality Building Society.