Show bosses confident of success

Despite forecasters predicting rain, organisers of the Royal Welsh Show have announced they have no fears of a similar washout to that of last year.

Met Office weathermen predict the showground in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells, will see rain on Monday and especially Thursday.

But show officials say they are not worried by the prospect of similar scenes to last year, which saw constant downpours and strong winds lower visitor numbers as parts of the the showground turned into a mudbath.

Tracy Powell, show spokeswoman, said: "We are aware rain is being forecast for some of the week, but we are not anticipating anything serious.

"We have not been made aware anything approaching last year is on the way."

It was announced last month an extra £40,000 has been spent this year on improved parking. An additional 54 acres have been provided to help avoid the problems experienced last year when dozens of cars got stuck in muddy fields following torrential rain.

Harry Fetherstonhaugh, show director, said 800 metres of drains have been installed on the showground and 1,700m of new stone roads laid in car and caravan parks owned by the society.

Other changes in the show layout and traffic management plan include tracking being laid to create spinal and lateral roads to ensure use in all weathers.

And to avoid a repeat of last year's parking problems, the society is making available drier fields on three major approaches to the Llanelwedd showground in Builth Wells.

Mr Fetherstonhaugh said: "I hope people will agree the society has taken some real and positive steps."