AN agricultural society is to expand its annual show onto a massive 40 acre site.

Great Harwood Agricultural Society has bought the site off Harwood Lane, Great Harwood, which is nearly five times as big as its old location in Wood Lane.

For the first time in more than five years organisers are able to revive the senior section of show jumping, which increase the classes by the British Show Jumping Association from 15 to more than 40.

They are also introducing a seven mile trail starting and ending on the ground and a community tent for the police, fire and health service as well as other ideas.

The boost to the 143rd show comes after it was announced that the Royal Lancashire Show was cancelled due to a dispute over its showground. Secretary of Great Harwood Agricultural Society Rona Westwell, said they were able to get a good deal on the new site which has enabled the shows organisers to expand on last year’s event.

But now the organisers have said that they aim to hold the show on 20 acres this year and to use it to its full capacity in the coming years.

The agricultural society has invested money into the drainage and hope it will enable the show to go ahead whether it rains or not on May 25.

Rona Westwell said: “The new site is promising for our show as many have been going under and ours is going from strength to strength.”

Chair Geoffrey Hanson added: “It is a testimony to the stren-gth of our agricultural society and we hope the show will continue for the next 100 years.

“It is a lot of hard work but we will work hard.” He added that the extra space would mean more attractions for people to enjoy.

He said: “One of the things we can do because of the new land this year is four tug of war teams instead of eight, for instance.”