Demand for tickets for the 11th annual Spring Fling has picked up strongly in the past few days, said organisers.

The fun day of food, farming and countryside activities for youngsters and their parents, which is backed by our sister paper the EDP, takes place on Tuesday, April 19, at the Norfolk Showground.

'We've sold more tickets than at this stage last year,' said Sarah de Chair, of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.

A record number of about 100 exhibitors will stage practical displays and organisers have given the lay-out a new and fresher look. The countryside area includes a number of new attractions, said Mrs de Chair.

The Spring Fling, which attracted a sell-out crowd of 5,250 last year, aims to appeal to youngsters aged between four and 14.

It has practical activities, displays and demonstrations inside the permanent exhibition building and outside in the expanded countryside area.

'We've filled two of the bays in the cattle building of animals so it will be not be as spread out as in the past,' said Mrs de Chair.

The event's theme, 'Love It, Hate It!' will encourage youngsters to taste fresh produce. And a team from Tas Valley Mushrooms in south Norfolk, part of Waveney Mushrooms, has got an expanded display to tempt visitors to give 'fungus' a chance.

Members of Norfolk YFC's Countrysiders will encourage visitors to sample goats' cheese while butchers will turn locally produced pork into sausages. And volunteers from Ladies in Pigs will cook different flavours of sausages for visitors.

The Norfolk Poultry Club will have chicks hatching. A team from Bernard Matthews will return with the hugely popular display of hatching turkeys.

Johnny Ball will be bringing the National Farmers' Union's Let's Talk Farming road show to Costessey. The countryside area includes displays of birds of prey, hounds, demonstrations, including the popular reed dressing by volunteers from Norfolk Wildlife Trust. A fleet of tractors and trailers will take visitors around part of the showground.

Tickets, which are limited, cost �7, which includes a hog roast lunch and drink and must be in obtained in advance. A vegetarian option is available. The gates open at 9am.

All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult, who must also have a ticket.

No tickets will be sold at the gate.

Tickets can be obtained from the EDP's offices at Prospect House, Norwich, and branch offices including Cromer, Dereham, Fakenham, Great Yarmouth, King's Lynn, and Lowestoft.

They can also be obtained from the RNAA at www.norfolkshowground.com or by sending a cheque, with a stamped, addressed envelope, to the RNAA, The Showground, Dereham Road, New Costessey, Norwich NR5 0TT.

Are you planning an event in your community? If so we want to hear about it so please email the newsdesk at newsdesk@archant.co.uk