TODAY Suffolk Fights Back with all its might as thousands swarm to the Suffolk Show.

James Marston

TODAY Suffolk Fights Back with all its might as thousands swarm to the Suffolk Show.

Heralded as the Best of Suffolk the two-day show opened its gates to visitors from across the region determined to see for themselves the very best our county has to offer.

Organised by the Suffolk Agricultural Association (SAA), the Suffolk Show is held at Trinity Park on the outskirts of Ipswich.

And from the magnificent animals, the tasty food hall, the colourful craft and flower tents, the luxurious living pavilion, the hundreds of trade stands, the gleaming tractors and cars - Suffolk put its best foot forward bringing millions into the county's economy.

Suffolk Show executive director Chris Bushby said: “Staging this year's Suffolk Show has been a challenge against the current economic climate, but we are delighted to say that the strength of the Suffolk Show brand has won through.”

With 100 new exhibitors and sponsors, seven parade rings, and packed schedules throughout the two day event, the 178th show is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.

Market research has shown that last year nearly 75 per cent of people who attended came for the entertainment, a third to shop and another third to enjoy a family outing. The average spent on food and drink per head was �40, the average spent on non food items �51 and the total spent at the show �7.5m.

And today we join forces with businesses across the county to promote Suffolk in the pages of your Evening Star.

In these troubled times we have sought out the very best news stories from Suffolk's world of trade and commerce.

Cathy Arbon, president of Suffolk Chamber, said: “The Suffolk Show epitomises all that is great and good about Suffolk.

“The success of the Show is two-fold, not only will it help to stimulate the local economy, but it will also help to raise Suffolk's profile and ensure that the county is well placed as the economy improves.

“With vast amounts of people coming in to the area to visit the Show over the two days, Suffolk businesses will have the opportunity to promote their goods and services to a much wider audience and with the resulting stimulus in trading, it is hoped that the Suffolk Show will go some way towards supporting the economic upturn and help to keep the Suffolk economy buoyant.

“Suffolk Chamber would actively encourage everyone to come along and support the Show and help keep the Suffolk pound in Suffolk as well as helping to encourage visitors to the area to also invest in our local economy.”

- The Suffolk Show is held at Trinity Park today and tomorrow.

Doors open 7.30am. Tickets at the gate are �17 adults, children �6, Senior citizens, over 60, �14, family tickets �40 and cars �5.

- Is your firm or organisation fighting back for Suffolk? What do you think of the Suffolk Show? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

- The Suffolk Agricultural Association, has also pledged its community support by giving 500 children's tickets to Suffolk County Council Children's Services, and a further 450 family tickets to show support to the army families stationed at the Colchester Garrison, RAF Woodbridge, RAF Honnington and Wattisham Military Base, many of whom have been on active service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

- To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS), the flower stewards will be demonstrating their own creative flair by doing an arrangement to celebrate the occasion.

They are keeping the design details well under wraps, but Suffolk Showcase can reveal that Roger Woolnough, who is co-designing the arrangement for the national celebrations in Westminster Abbey in May, is designer in chief.

Steward Rosemary Black said: “It is very unusual for the stewards to make an arrangement but we have years of experience between us and cannot wait to get started.”

- His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent will be visiting the show on Thursday May 28th.

During the day he will present the long service awards to agricultural workers who have been employed in the industry for 30 years and upwards.

It is only the second visit to Trinity Park for the Queen's cousin who is 24th in line of succession to the throne and whose last visit to the show was in 1991.

As President of the Scout Association, his interests include serving as the President of the Wimbledon All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. His other roles include President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission , the RAF Benevolent Fund , the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Stroke Association and he makes the final decision in the award of the Mountbatten Medal .

- Next year's Suffolk Show will be held on June 2 and 3.