HAMPSHIRE'S biggest summer show is all set to go ahead.

The New Forest Agricultural Show Society's policy and management committee has dispelled any lingering doubts over this year's event in the wake of the national foot-and-mouth disease crisis.

Committee chiefs decided at the beginning of April that there would be no cattle, sheep or goats at Brockenhurst's New Park showground for this year's event from July 24 to 26.

But the final decision was delayed until last night - described as the most important board meeting in its history.

The three-day show costs almost £1m to put on and has pulled in around 100,000 people over its three days in recent years.

Its executive secretary Justin Lance said: "We are hoping for that kind of figure again this year."

While taking the decision to go ahead, he said, the committee was "very much aware of the continuing threat from foot and mouth" and would be watching the situation extremely closely.

There will be wheel baths and foot baths for competitors and vehicles connected with the very large equestrian section.

He was quick to point out that several big new attractions were being brought in and that the space at the eastern end of the showground traditionally occupied by the cattle, sheep and goat lines were being filled by other things.

"There is quite simply not a spare piece of ground in the show and we definitely don't want people to think it is an empty show. The staff have been very positive in working towards this year's show and everyone is very up-beat about it. We are introducing an exhibition of 80 years of farm machinery, there will be a steam spectacular and other activities are also being brought in," he said.

The new arrivals include a scuba diving tank, two food theatres featuring cookery demonstrations by Brockenhurst College and the Sainsbury's supermarket chain, as well as the New Forest Cycle Experience's show featuring daredevil exploits by skateboarders and BMX riders.

Mr Lance added that horse entries were "at an exceptional level" and included world class competitors.

One horse-related feature will be the extremely popular heavy horses, given a home in the cattle lines area rather than being kept in a field outside the showground itself as in previous years.