GLORIOUS weather, cows wearing hats and judges slapping rosettes on comically-shaped vegetables - it must be the County Show!

The three-day event began on Tuesday and crowds flocked to the showground for the usual mix of competitions, thrills and spills in the centre ring and bargains galore from the hundreds of stalls.

It is thought upwards of 100,000 people will have visited by the end of today (Thursday) and despite lingering doubts over the show's future at its current venue, the County Show promises to go from strength to strength.

This year, the 46th at the showground, has seen a record number of trade stands and improved entries in the livestock competitions.

The Merc snapper beat the traffic early on Tuesday to get out and about and capture some scenes from the sizzling summer show.