2008 is the South of England Agricultural Society's Year of the Pig – and to celebrate they will be taking centre stage at the show, being held at Ardingly, near Haywards Heath from June 5-7, an event which attracts hundreds of visitors from the Horsham district.

A new Pig Village will feature cute pigs, rare pigs, woolly pigs, popular breeds, and even a Piggy Pranks obstacle course.

And the society's president, the Duke of Norfolk, will be bringing one of his own pigs along when he opens the action-packed show in the Pig Village.

Deborah Barber, director of the South of England Society Agricultural Society, said: "Our show will give these popular animals an opportunity to shine, and visitors will have a chance to find out why many people are besotted with pigs, particularly the appealing piglets."

The madcap four-legged Piggy Pranks race will take place on the Thursday and Friday of the show, with swine completing a fun obstacle course made up of household items.

Distinctive long-haired woolly pigs will also be turning heads. Winston and Clementine, a handsome pair of rare Mangalitzas from Holmbush Farm World at Faygate, will be among the stars of the Pig Village.

The hairy hogs, an ancient breed from Austria, have black curls running down their backs – almost long enough to put into pigtails.

Farmer Harry Calvert said: "We are delighted to be coming to the show. Our woolly pigs are an incredible sight and very sweet natured, they certainly make visitors pinch themselves and look twice!"

Other exhibitors in the Pig Village will include the British Pig Association.

For show information and details of online ticket sales and local ticket agents tel: 01444 892700 or visit our website: www.southofenglandshow.org.uk

There are approximately 270,428 pigs in the South-East region.

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