From when the gates open at 8am until they close, there's a full day of entertainment for the whole family at the Melplash Show.

For 175 years the Melplash Agricultural Society has been supporting and promoting local farmers and food producers, and at the Melplash Show this year you will find that this is still the case today.

As well as giving local farmers the chance to meet up and celebrate what they do, it is a platform for us all to learn more about food, farming and the countryside, and to recognise the importance agriculture has in all our lives.

The Discover Farming area at the show has become a must visit for all families who are interested in learning more about farming and food production. This year's theme is 'Stay Healthy Dorset Style'. The marquees are going to be packed with interactive 'farming to food' activities for children to explore and to find out where their food comes from, how farmers care for the environment and how the environment and good food cares for us all.

The Devil's Horsemen, a world-famous horse and rider stunt team, are the main attraction in the Bradford Building Supplies main ring, during the day they will be joined by horse and hounds, show jumping and the highlight of the day, the grand parade of winning animals.

There is an action-packed programme in the countryside arena, including a falconry display, ferret racing and the very popular terrier racing.

Other entertainment includes:

• The sheep show
• Strawberry Jam the clown
• Wyld Morris
• Professor Crump
• Punch and Judy
• BubbleMan and Bubble Faerie
• Sheridan the sheepdog
• Daphne Neville and her otters
• The FB Pocket Orchestra
• Dorset Young Farmers
• St Swithun's Band
• Jurassic Dinosaur
• SpiderCam
• Flight simulator
• Fun fair

Alongside there are more than 400 trade stands offering a wide range of products and services, a large food hall full of award-winning produce, a cookery theatre with demonstrations from local chefs - Helen Choudhury of the Taj Mahal restaurant, Simon Mazzei of the Olive Tree, Valentine Warner, Andy Tyrrell of Soulshine, Mark Banham of Morrish and Banham - a selection of food to go and the Melplash Inn where you can enjoy a pint.

The Melplash Show takes place in the West Bay Showground on Thursday, August 25.

All children under 16 can attend the show for free. Adult tickets cost £17 in advance at melplashshow.co.uk or £19 on the day.

There is a free bus throughout the day from Lyme Regis, stopping at bus stops in Charmouth, Chideock and Bridport.

For more information, visit melplashshow.co.uk