THOUSANDS are expected to flock to Kelso's Springwood Park later this month for the annual celebration of the countryside.

Since 1813 farmers, landowners, breeders and craftspeople have competed for honour and trophies at the Border Union Show.

And throughout Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28, the 46-acre Showground will yet again thrum with the excitement of everything rural life has to offer.

The 188th Border Union Show promises to be every bit as good as its predecessors with more than 200 trade stands and a 50-stand food fair supporting the main competitions and entertainment.

As always the Show includes competition for horses, cattle, sheep, donkeys, goats, poultry and rabbits.

Outwith the Royal Highland Show there won't be anywhere better to see the finest specimens of Aberdeen Angus, Herefords, Native Beef Breeds, Continental Beef Breeds or Commercial Beef Cattle, as well as Border Leicester, Suffolk, Cheviot, Blackface, Bluefaced Leicester, Texel, Charollais and Jacob in the sheep rings.

The equine classes pit the finest thoroughbreds against each other.

And skill and ability will be put to the test in the horse shoeing, shepherds' crooks and industrial arts sections.

Shepherds' Crooks, Horse Shoeing, Young Farmers Stock Judging and Industrial Arts, with over five hundred open classes.

In the shade of the Showground Halls will be the ever-popular exhibitions, crafts and gifts sections as well as a bar to make sure everyone is refreshed.

And the children's fun fair will keep the younger generation squealing with delight.

Saturday's main ring family entertainment this year will have many hiding behind their hands.

Not only will the terrifying motorcycle stunt team Broke FMX defying gravity but stunt driver Paul Swift will laughing in the face of danger on four wheels.

This year's Border Union Show, with fine weather forecast, will be another stunning two days of countryside competition and fun.