ONE of the most popular annual events in Malvern is going virtual due to the coronavirus crisis.

The second weekend in June should see thousands attend the annual Royal Three Counties Show, but this year's event had to be cancelled due to coronavirus.

In spite of this, organisers have put together a virtual celebration combining the usual mix of farm animals, food, horses, gardening and family fun.

The three-day extravaganza, run in association with JCB, will feature a host of attractions including virtual action from the Red Devils Parachute Display Team, a variety of livestock-related activities in the farming village, pole climbing, gardening hints and tips and all sorts of family fun, including performances from popular main arena acts such as the Bolddog Lings freestyle motocross team and the Galloping Acrobats.

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With free entry to this year’s virtual Royal Three Counties Show, the event’s organisers are confident that the experience they gained in putting the recent RHS Malvern Spring Festival online means they’ll be ready for any eventuality.

Head of Shows Diana Walton said: “We’re really excited about the programme that we’ve put together, which champions everything we’re about.

“Our society has been going for more than 200 years and we refuse to let anything beat us, including Coronavirus – there’s really no reason why the weekend of June 12 to 14 shouldn’t be a Royal Three Counties weekend for thousands of families.

“Visitors to our website will be able gain access to all the sections they’re interested in, whether it’s agriculture, equestrian, rural industries, gardening, farriery or family fun.

“In a normal year we would expect to welcome around 90,000 people, but we have no way of knowing how many will opt to visit the show from the comfort of their armchairs.

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“Our online RHS Malvern Spring Festival attracted more than 91,000 viewers in 62 countries, two thirds of whom were new to our website, and we’re hoping that our virtual Royal Three Counties Show will be able to reach an audience we wouldn’t normally see.

“One aspect of the online spring festival that was particularly appreciated was the way in which we provided an online platform that enabled our exhibitors to trade and we want to do this again at the show, with 400 setting out their stands online.

“We’re passionate about putting on the best possible show we can because we’re fully aware that so many local industries have been hit by coronavirus. We also want to provide plenty of opportunities for people to learn more about the countryside in a fun environment.”

To attend the virtual Royal Three Counties Show, visit www.royalthreecountiesshow.co.uk