Bright, breezier and warmer weather is on the cards for the latest EDP Spring Fling at the Norfolk showground.

And a return to more typical April weather will be welcome news for the 5,000 youngsters and parents at the 14th annual event on Wednesday.

Since the first Spring Fling was staged in 2000 by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, it has grown gradually and last April attracted a total attendance of about 5,100 youngsters and their parents.

Organisers have chosen a seasonal theme, 'Spring Greens,' which aims to encourage younger visitors, aged between four and 14, to learn more about food, farming and the countryside.

With more than 60 different mainly 'hands-on' demonstrations and displays taking place inside the Norfolk Arena, there will be opportunities to see, taste and find out about a variety of foods.

Members of Ladies in Pigs will be cooking sausages, which have been made by a team of skilled butchers and volunteers from Norfolk Women's Institutes will be showing how even red, white and green cabbage can be 'fun' foods too.

A chance to take a tractor-and-trailer ride around the Norfolk showground is also another highlight. Last April, the volunteer drivers took 5,744 passengers for a ride. There will also be the opportunity to climb into the tractor cab and sit on the tractor seat.

There will be displays of farm animals and poultry including chicks hatching and turkey poults from Bernard Matthews. A chance to hold a newly-hatched turkey poult was another highlight last year.

The Spring Fling's countryside area will also include displays by sheepdogs and other working dogs and birds of prey. The demonstration of reed dressing by a team from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust is also returning.

And the education theme, which has evolved over the years, includes a handbook/ guide, which has questions, quizzes and some farming facts and figures.

Jim Bacon, of forecasters Weatherquest, which is based at the University of East Anglia, said that conditions for visitors should be warmer as the bitter easterly wind swings around to a more typical warmer Atlantic system.

The all-in ticket price, £7.50, unchanged from last year, includes a hog roast luncheon and apple juice drink.

The event runs between 9.30am and 3.30pm. All visitors must obtain a ticket in advance. No tickets will be available on the gate.

All children and adults must have a ticket. While there is free entry for children aged under two in a family group, food and drink is not included. Parking is free.

Tickets, which are limited, can be obtained from the EDP's offices at Prospect House, Norwich and network of branch offices at Beccles, Cromer, Dereham, Diss, Fakenham, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Our offices are closed on Saturdays.

Tickets can be obtained from the RNAA's offices. Telephone 01603 748931 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).