THOUSANDS of people have descended upon Malvern as the Royal Three Counties Show kicks off.

Starting on Friday, the show, which runs until Sunday (June 16) is expected to see record numbers of people and animals, with 3,000 sheep due to attend.

The show, which hosts a number of national breed society shows, is also playing host this year to 28 breeds of cattle, 11 breeds of goats and 14 breeds of pigs in over 900 classes.

This year’s event is also introducing new features such as the Toggenburg Breeders Society National Show and the People’s Choice Pig, which allows the public to have a go at judging by voting for their favourite.

Visitors braved the weather on the first day to take in the delights on offer, with plenty on offer under roof cover including the indoor food hall.

The food and drink hall allowed visitors to sample the very best national and local produce, and the Cookery Theatre in the Severn Hall showed off a range of dishes made from the best produce on offer from the show.

The Gardening Hub returned for its second year with local gardening expert Reg Moule playing host again.

At the gardening hub, visitors can take part in a gardening question-and-answer session, learn how to re-pot an orchid and find out about keeping chickens.

Also home to the flower show and an orchid exhibition, the Gardening Hub is the ideal place for visitors to pick up summer blooms and inspiration for their own gardens.

Urging visitors not to be put off by the inclement weather, a show spokesman said: "Please don’t let the weather put you off; besides the many outdoor attractions, we have plenty to see undercover from rabbits to prize bulls.

"There is a large indoor food hall and the showground has tarmac avenues.

"Why not pop your wellies on and come and see the nation’s favourite farmers, Adam Henson and Jimmy Doherty?

"Adam is here all three days and Jimmy on Sunday."

The Royal Three Counties Show is a celebration of the countryside and rural life, and celebrates excellence in farming, livestock, agriculture and food and drink across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

Across the weekend, the show is expected to attract more than 90,000 visitors.