Extreme heat alert prompts measures at county show

Organisers of one of England's largest agricultural shows have said they are taking steps to keep visitors and animals safe in the extreme heat.

The two-day Royal Norfolk Show opens on Wednesday at the Costessey showground on the outskirts of Norwich.

An amber weather warning for extreme heat was put in place for the county on Monday and Mark Nicholas, the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association chief executive, said measures had been taken to protect the safety of visitors and animals.

A falconry team said it could no longer attend because of the heat and some riders were not expected to bring their horses.

Temperatures could reach 32C (89.6F) in Norwich on Wednesday.

Up to 85,000 people normally attend the show over both days.

Nicholas said: "The vast majority of our exhibitors will still be here, and that is thousands of exhibitors, and we fully understand if there are one or two decisions from exhibitors not to bring their animals.

"We have a no-refund policy for people who have purchased tickets for the show and for whatever reason decide not to come.

"The Royal Norfolk Show is a charitable event and all of the funds raised are reinvested in supporting food, farming and countryside in Norfolk."

Nicholas said the association had been consulting with a team of vets and animal welfare specialists in order to put precautions in place, and advised people not to bring their pet dogs due to the record-breaking heat.

He also told BBC Radio Norfolk that while the show intended to run all its scheduled classes, some activities could be rescheduled if the conditions were too hot.

Visitors will be able to get free drinking water from standpipes and water taps at all toilet blocks and the show, in partnership with the Big C cancer charity, will be providing free suncream at the main gates.

Cattle farmer Chris Yeoman won a title at last year's show for his Limousin heifer breed of cow. He had to arrive earlier from East Sussex for this event to keep his three animals as cool as possible.

He said fans had been set up in the cattle shed and had been given plenty of water.

"They've been washed and now they can settle down," said Yeoman.

"They're used to the sun - they've come down from France - we've been to two or three shows."

Norfolk Police has warned temporary road closures could be put in place as the extreme heat could affect road conditions.

"Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys," the force said.

Elsewhere across the county, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service has urged people to take care if heading to the coast and waterways.

It advised people to head to familiar spots and with someone else, and to enter the water slowly to let the body adjust as it can often be far colder than expected.

The fire service's Paul Seaman said it was prepared for more emergencies and pointed out that many fires on open land could be avoided.

"Simple steps include not discarding cigarettes, not using disposable barbecues or lighting campfires and making sure you take any rubbish home," said Seaman.

"If people spot a fire, no matter how small, they should call 999 quickly."

Meanwhile, Greater Anglia told passengers to check arrangements before setting off on Tuesday.

A more serious red alert from the Met Office is in place for much of its network across Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.

In many of Norfolk's schools, pupils have been allowed to wear PE kits to make things more comfortable.

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