THE Earl and Countess of Wessex will present two new awards during their visit to next week’s New Forest and Hampshire County Show.

The royal couple will honour the best young farmer and commoner and the best supporter of local produce.

The names of the winners are being kept under wraps until the ceremony.

The awards have been created by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA).

CLA regional director Robin Edwards said: “We are pleased that the Earl and Countess of Wessex have agreed to present these awards.

“It’s essential to showcase the opportunities available to young farmers in the area along with the benefits that those producing local food bring to the environment.”

Commoners are villagers with the right to let their ponies and cattle roam the Forest. The animals munch their way through vast amounts of vegetation each year, preventing the area from becoming an overgrown jungle.

NPA chief executive Alison Barnes said: “New Forest ponies are known as the ‘architects’ of the Forest as it’s their grazing activity that creates the unique landscape we know today.

“It’s vital we continue to support commoning, farming and local produce to help sustain the landscape and I’m delighted we are recognising the dedication our first award recipients.”

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie will be at the second day of the three-day show, which begins at New Park, Brockenhurst, on Tuesday.

The countess was president of the Royal Bath and West Show in 2010 and is patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations.

She and her husband are expected to spend several hours touring stands and meeting many of the people who have made the show one of the top ten agricultural events in the UK.

Last year the Queen visited the Daily Echo-backed show at the end of her Diamond Jubilee tour of the country.