SPARSHOLT College Countryside Day on May 14 is expected to attract more than 12,000 visitors.

It gives the college the chance to show off the skills of its 1,400 full-time students in milking, shearing, animal handling, machinery operation, shooting, landscaping, fishery work and tree care.

The event will also feature "Hampshire's Heritage" with exhibits and displays of woodland crafts.

An innovation this year will be the provision of catering and refreshment outlets from Hampshire Fare, the consortium of local producers.

Dave Alderson, marketing manager, said: "This is an event where the whole college pulls together. It creates a great buzz around the place."

The day runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Admission is £5 per adult, £2 for school age children, £4 for senior citizens and £12 per family ticket (two adults and up to three school-age children).

Parking is free. The organisers request that visitors do not bring dogs on site, nor leave dogs in cars. Many of the 2,000 animals already on site (including deer, cows, pigs, sheep and many smaller, exotic animals) are nervous in the presence of dogs.