UP to 20,000 visitors are expected to descend on Ribchester tomorrow for the annual Royal Lancashire Show.

This year's event, which will run until Thursday, will be the last in its current format after it was announced last week that the show will move to a weekend slot for 2006.

Organisers are hoping that the weather stays fine for the three-day event at Salesbury Hall to prevent a wash-out similar to that of two years ago, when the event had to be cancelled due to heavy rain.

The £300,000 event will be kicked off in style tomorrow when Olympic rowing hero Sir Matthew Pinsent conducts the official opening ceremony.

There will also be an appearance by this year's Grand National winner Hedgehunter, courtesy of Lancashire entrepreneur Trevor Hemmings.

Other attractions include camel races, horse display teams, rescue dogs, falconry shows and helicopter rides.

The showground will be open from 8am through to 7pm each day, with a last admission of 4pm.

There will be a variety of animal classes, including sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, donkeys and sheepdogs, as well as more than 200 craft and trade stands and a £19,000 first prize show jumping event.

A Fishing Centre on the river bank will demonstrate various angling techniques.

There will be the opportunity for female visitors to become Miss Royal Lancashire 2005, a competition which is open to 16 to 25-year-olds.

The first prize will be £250 and the competition will be judged on Thursday afternoon.

For the older women visitors there will also be the Best Dressed Lady competition at 4pm tomorrow.

In a bid to prevent previous traffic problems car parking for up to 8,000 vehicles has been provided on site and the police said improved transport links had been put in place this year, including colour coded approach routes from Clitheroe and Preston and temporary speed limits on the A59.