This little piggy went to the Devon County Show

Deborah Custance-Baker is preparing her Large Black pigs in readiness for the judging rings at the Devon County Show next week (May 16-18).

Deborah, from Silverton near Exeter, is pinning her hopes of success on two youngsters and is hoping they will give her the edge over her arch rival.

“I have been practicing walking round the field to get them used to the stick and board which is used to steer them.  They are typical "teenagers" and sometimes conform but quite often they don’t.  It could be interesting!

“They will need to be washed and then oiled up to make them gleam in the sun at the Show.  The oil is put on now so that it has time to sink into their skin.  Meanwhile, my white coats are being washed and ironed before another show season starts.”

Deborah, who is also a Show Steward and organises the popular Spring Sausage Competition, enjoys great success in the ring.

“This is the first show of the year and there is always a bit more competitive spirit as no one knows what anyone else is bringing.  It is, however, friendly rivalry and you will always find us in the bar afterwards, congratulating the owner of the Breed Champion - this year, it will probably be Martin Snell, again.

“Pigs should be born in January, July or September for the Show ring, so mine are young for their class but it is good experience for them, and I would be devastated not to have a pig at Devon County Show.”

Large Blacks are among more than 10 pig breeds which have attracted more than 200 entries. Livestock entries are good across the board and at least on a par with last year:  625 cattle, 1,547 sheep, 229 alpacas and 186 dairy and angora goats.

The Show is a great celebration of the Devon countryside and provides excellence and entertainment in equal measure.

The Diggerland JCB Stunt Team will be strutting their stuff in the Mole Valley Farmers Main Arena performing amazing routines, including ‘hand stands’.

Alongside the woodland area Savage Skills – the UK's leading mountain bike and BMX extreme freestyle display team - will be demonstrating their stunts and giving advice to budding cyclists.

Advance tickets offering savings are on sale now from the showground, tourist information centres and online. New this year are downloadable online tickets and an online cut off time of midnight on Wednesday, May 15.

Once again up to three children (aged 5 to 15) get free admission on Saturday when accompanied by a paying adult and senior citizens are eligible for the buy-one-get-one-free offer on all three days of the Show as long as they buy their tickets in advance.

Click here for ticket prices and further information about the Devon County Show.