THE countdown is on to Fordingbridge Festival which takes place today (Saturday).

The event, which is being organised by the Fordingbridge Events Group, runs from 10.30am to 5pm at the recreation ground.

Main arena acts include a display by Fordingbridge fire and rescue, a tug of war, birds of prey, a tractor pull, rugby skills demonstration and heavy horse obstacle racing, which is part of a British Heavy Horse Driving Trials Club event comprising obstacle courses and a timed five kilometre drive around Fordingbridge taking place over the weekend.

In the dog zone, which is being run by Colfords of Fordingbridge, there will be lots of owner and dog competitions, including best puppy, waggiest tail and best rescue, culminating in a best in show.

For younger visitors there will be plenty of activities in the children’s zone which has a climbing wall, circus skills workshop, tea cup rides, bungee trampolines, play zone inflatables, football skills, face painting, and children’s entertainer Krazy Kev.

For those interested in vehicles, there will be more than 60 classic cars, vintage tractors, bikes, scooters, lawnmowers and steam engines.

Nicky Jenkins, the chairman of Fordingbridge Events Group, says there will be “so much to see and do” on the day, adding: “We’ve tried to get it so there is something there to interest everyone.”

There will be free parking in the town’s two car parks.

Nicky said: “What we’ve tried to do is more of the same but make it a little bit bigger.

“We’ve got the extra food and drink zones to try and cut down on the queues.”

Advanced tickets are available from Pampered Dogs, Caxtons, Fordingbridge Bookshop, The George, Bonallack & Bishops Solicitors, Bridges, The Cottage Loaf, The Gourmet Grocer, Tourist Information Office and Jessica.

For more information go to fordingbridgefestival.com