Cattle, sheep and goat numbers at the Royal Cornwall Show which opens tomorrow, will be reduced as a result of the Defra decision to delay extending the blue tongue protection zone to include Cornwall until after the show.

The last minute decision has caused disappointment for the organisers and many exhibitors who were booked in for the three-day show.

But show secretary Christopher Riddle says there will still be quality competition because of the high numbers of Cornwall-based exhibitors who are unaffected by the situation.

The Defra decision means that only cattle, sheep and goats from within the county can be moved to and from the showground plus a few exhibitors from areas beyond the adjacent protection zone.

It is anticipated there will be still be over 300 cattle from an original total of 569 competing for honour with the cattle hall already filling up.

Sheep entries will be hardest hit because a relatively large number of entries come from outside the county, notably from Devon, but over 200 exhibits will still be competing.

Goat classes are also affected. In the dairy section numbers will be reduced from 74 to around 20 however pygmy goat numbers will drop by only about ten to around 64.

Horses - which have a record entry of 1,726 this year - and pigs at 165 entries are not affected by the restrictions so classes will carry on as normal.

All those entrants who are unable to attend because of the Defra decision will have their entry fees refunded as per the show rules, said Mr. Riddle.

He added: "The slower-than anticipated expansion of the protection zone is due to less vaccine being available than was expected.

"It is disappointing not to have the opportunity of welcoming those exhibitors from further afield but we shall nevertheless have a first class show with hot Cornish competition in the sheep and cattle section," he added.

The Royal Cornwall is acknowledged as one of the country's finest agricultural shows and this development is certainly a blow but Mr. Riddle expects a first class event.

"There is a spectacular line up of entertainment in the main ring and there are well over 900 trade stands with more than ever in the machinery section - which demonstrates how well regarded the show is within the agricultural community as a whole."

A varied music programme, superb flower show, busy countryside area, dance festival, forestry and woodland section, rare breeds, steam fair and much more combined to create a unique event, he said.