Forty-five acres of showground have been carefully marked out, and animals of all shapes and sizes are undergoing final preening.

It is that time of year again, when all that is good about the British countryside is put on show in Redbourn for the thousands of visitors expected to flock to the 128th Hertfordshire County Show over May Bank Holiday weekend.

General manager and show secretary Mike Harman said that with Herts being a predominantly urban county, “it is interesting to report that our agricultural, countryside and horticultural demonstrations and competitions represent around 65 per cent of the total show content.”

The theme for this year’s event is “showcasing the heart of Hertfordshire”.

Mike said that visitors will note the showground has some new additions, including palisade gates installed at the office entrance, tarmac resurfacing and a bespoke Henry Barker arch at the main public pedestrian entrance.

Attractions include an all-human festival circus, devils’ horsemen, show jumping, cattle showing, falconry display and trade stands.

As well as ensuring visitors enjoy themselves and stay safe at this year’s show, officers from Herts Police will be at the two-day event to recruit volunteers, including special constables, rural special constables and police community volunteers.

Officers will also be on hand to sign people up to Neighbourhood Watch, give crime prevention advice, speak about concerns people might be experiencing in their local areas and to talk to them about heritage watch - the force’s newly launched scheme which aims to protect the county’s historical assets and monuments from crime.

Officers from the force’s rural operational support team (ROST) will also be present to talk about crimes or concerns affecting the county’s countryside.

Team members are police officers specialising in rural, wildlife, environmental, heritage crime and equine and traveller liaison issues.

They investigate crimes such as badger baiting, hare coursing, night-hawking and the theft of metal from historical buildings.

• Herts County Show is from May 24-25, at the showground, Dunstable Road, Redbourn