THERE were big shoes to fill at the Cheshire County Show this year as a new director took to the helm of the major rural event.

But Nigel Evans was justifiably excited and proud as the two-day show opened in glorious sunshine at the county showground in Tabley yesterday, Tuesday.

Mr Evans took over the show after long serving organiser David Broster died from a heart attack last year and told the Guardian he was thrilled to have watched it grow and take shape.

He said: "It's been interesting and exciting but a fantastic feeling. I've been planning this for nine months all on paper and to see it grow - literally from the grass upwards - is incredible.

"This year's theme is connecting people with the countryside and I really hope our visitors will take that away with them."

On hand to support Mr Evans was long time friend and famous botanist David Bellamy, who did part of his PhD in Cheshire.

He said: "Shows like this are vital to the farming community. It's farming that has shaped our country for the past 5,000 years - not Mother Nature - and it's very important it continues to thrive.

"It's great for children to connect with the countryside in this way as they don't get the chance these days."

He added: "I've never been here before but I'm looking forward to having a good look around. Basically I love food and one of my favourite meals is Welsh Rarebit made with Cheshire cheese."

This year's event is also a special occasion for Alan Ford, of New Farm at Arley, who has helped set up the arenas for the past 30 years.

He said: "I got involved though Young Farmers when I was 23 and it's a job I've never been able to give up.

"I've set up when it was just one arena and now we put up five miles of barriers around 200 acres."

The County Cheshire Show, which features more than 600 stalls and vintage machinery, floral displays, food halls as well as live stock displays and show jumping, continues today, Wednesday.