A fine and dry day is forecast for about 4,000 youngsters at the Spring Fling at the Norfolk showground on Tuesday.

A fine and dry day is forecast for about 4,000 youngsters at the Spring Fling at the Norfolk showground on Tuesday.

The sixth annual event is heading for a sell out, said Sarah de Chair, of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNNA).

Forecasters WeatherQuest, at the UEA, are confident that the Spring Fling will be fine,after a chilly start with temperatures of about 12 deg C.

Almost 60 conservation groups, wildlife organisations and farming bodies will be taking part in the event, which aims to appeal to youngsters aged four-14.

The EDP Spring Fling was started to stage practical displays and demonstrations about food, farming and the countryside, and involves scientists from the Norwich Research Park.

The theme, Growing Up, will feature displays from planting potatoes to growing runner beans as well as tasting home-made strawberry milkshakes, made by volunteers from the Norfolk WIs, featuring fruit from Polehouse Nurseries, of Martham.

Dairy farmers will be bringing cows, which will be milked and South Norfolk milk producer, Julian Taylor, of Starston, near Harleston, has a young heifer calf with her mum for visitors to name.

The tractor and trailer rides to the woodland and conservation area will be repeated and the Country Land and Business Association's low-lift trailer for the disabled will run.

Heavy-horse enthusiasts, including Ivan Cooke, of Oby, near Yarmouth, and Brian Banham, of Acle, will have a Suffolk and shire horse on display.

Members of Norfolk young farmers will be handing out “runner-bean” packs and the country's only specialist woad grower, Ian Howard, of Bettley, near Dereham, will be painting youngsters blue - if their parents agree.

The stands range from bees to chicks hatching and from llamas to Highland cattle, and run 9am-3.30pm.

The organisers stress that all youngsters must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Tickets cost £4.50, and must be obtained in advance. No tickets sold on the gate.

Tickets from the EDP's head office at Prospect House, Norwich, the Forum, or EDP branch offices until Monday. Otherwise call the RNAA's credit card line - 01603 748931 - or call at the showground today or Monday.