TICKETS are selling like hot cakes, the weather forecast is excellent and animal numbers are finally back to their pre-foot-and-mouth level.

Organisers were today looking forward to a bumper New Forest Show as they put the finishing touches to the arena at New Park, Brockenhurst.

Teams of up to 200 people have been working 12-hour shifts to ensure everything is ready when the gates open at 8.15am tomorrow.

This year's programme features the world pole-climbing championship, the Shetland Pony Grand National and appearances by the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.

The three-day show also includes show jumping, a heavy horse musical drive by 16 drays and a parade by the New Forest Hounds.

About 100,000 people are expected to pass through the turnstiles before the event finishes on Thursday evening.

Last year's show was hit by torrential rain, which turned the grass walkways used by spectators into a quagmire.

Since then tens of thousands of pounds have been spent on replacing the walkways with wide stone paths - but they may not be needed.

A show spokesman said: "The weather forecast is excellent.

"Advance tickets are going extremely well, and another indication of the show's popularity is the fact that the flower arranging section has attracted more clubs than ever before.

"We're also delighted to say that sheep and cattle are back to the numbers they were before foot-and-mouth three years ago."

No cases of the disease were reported in the Forest, but restrictions on the movement of animals meant the 2001 show had to go ahead without cows, sheep and goats. The rules were not relaxed until last year.

Former Hi-De-Hi! star David Griffin will be casting his eye over the cattle when he visits the 38-acre showground on Thursday.

David, who also appeared in Keeping Up Appearances, will watch the Grand Parade in the cattle ring before presenting some of the prizes.

TRAVEL ADVICE

Show bosses have issued the following advice for people travelling to New Park:

BY CAR

From the north - M23, M27 West and follow signs.

From the east - M27 and follow signs.

From the west - A31 and follow signs.

From the south - A337 or A35 and follow signs.

BY RAIL

Regular trains from Bournemouth, Southampton and Winchester to Brockenhurst. Special buses will run continuously from Brockenhurst station to the showground every 20 minutes.

BY BUS

The 56 and 56A services run every 30 minutes from Southampton to Lymington and back and will stop at the showground.