EXCITEMENT is building ahead of this month's magnificent Border Union Show.

Rural life will be celebrated yet again at Kelso, like it has for more than 200 years, with highly competitive stock classes, exhibitions, displays and loads of entertainment.

And huge crowds from all over the country will flock to the Springwood Park Showground to see the very best cattle, sheep, horses, poultry and even goats on show.

Many eyes will be on the judging pens where the champion Border Leicesters, Suffolks and Cheviots will be decided.

The best in show Aberdeen Angus and Herefords will be paraded around the ring following heated competition.

And the winners of the horse and pony sections, goats, donkeys and the industrial sections will all be announced throughout the weekend.

But the Border Union Show is about so much more than just the best of stock from the country's top farms.

Spread over 46-acres, the Showground will be awash with around 200 trade stalls, a food fair, a children's funfair, and many displays.

And on Show Saturday there will be the added attractions of the daring IMPS Motorcycle Display Team in the Main Ring.

Also scheduled for the spectacular Saturday are falconry displays, lurcher racing and carriage driving.

100 years of Ford Tractors will also be celebrated throughout the Saturday.

Friday's events start at 8am with the Working Hunter Ponies and continue through to the Goat Milking at 6pm - with the Grand Children's Pet Show taking place at 3pm.

Saturday's packed programme also begins at 8am with the Ridden Hunters.

The Grand Parade of Livestock is scheduled to take place in the Main Ring at 3pm.

The delightful Border Union Show takes place on Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29.

Tickets are now available from the Border Union Show website