Bowood’s annual dog show is only a few weeks away and its organisers are quietly confident that thousands of visitors will enjoy another spectacular day.

The show, held in the beautiful parkland of the Bowood Estate, is in its ninth year and has raised £205,000 for charities.

This year’s show on June 8 will include displays from The Golden Retriever Club and the Greatwood Shetland Ponies based at Clench Common near Marlborough.

Families can enjoy the Lamb Grand National, a fun attractions with runners such as Sheargar and Mint Sauce, as well as birds of prey in the falconry ring.

TV chef Peter Vaughan, who runs a cookery school in Devizes, will be in the food tent alongside Christine Wallace, a quarter finalist on last year’s Great British Bake-Off.

Last year more than 200 dogs were entered to compete in the show’s main classes with many more taking part in mini challenges set up next to the main rings. But there is plenty for families to enjoy, with or without a dog.

Committee member Mike Weston said the show grows in popularity every year and he is expecting more than 100 trading stands for the first time in its history.

He said: “There’s a lot of other things for the children. Tractor Ted is back with us again, which provides a lot of entertainment. Certainly the kids love that.

“Hopefully we have put together a show that people will enjoy coming to see. The location is superb and if it’s gorgeous weather, then it will be a great day.”

The show was first set up by Lady Lansdowne to raise funds for Macmillan after her father died of cancer, and it has also helped other charities such as the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust, Calne Welfare Charities and Age UK Wiltshire.

Mr Weston, who will begin setting up the dog rings in a week’s time, is hoping the show will raise £45,000 this year to bring its fundraising total to £250,000.

He said: “Lady Lansdowne puts in a lot of effort to make it work, particularly with the sponsorship. If it wasn’t for the sponsorship the show couldn’t go on because that covers all the start-up costs.

“It means that all the money on the day from the tickets sold goes directly to charity and these are also Wiltshire charities rather than national charities. We get some lovely letters from the charities afterwards.”

Admission on the day is £10 for adults and £5 for children aged two to 16. Advance tickets are £8 for adults and £4 for children aged two to 16. These are only available from www.trac torted.co.uk until May 31.

For information, visit www.bowooddogshow.org.