THOUSANDS flocked to the second day of the New Forest and Hampshire County Show today.

The three-day celebration of food, farming and the countryside, part of the Forest’s social scene since 1921, ends tomorrow evening.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was among the visitors to the second day of the show today.

Last year’s event drew 105,000 visitors and organisers are hoping for another bumper crowd.

Show chairman Chris Whitlock said: “It’s going well. Public catering on Tuesday was up on the same day last year, which is a good indicator.”

“There are an awful lot of holidaymakers down here at the moment and the New Forest Show is a great place to be.”

The Verderers, who runs the New Forest's commoning system, used the show to highlight the dangers faced by animals and the need for caution from motorists.

Ponies and other animals owned by commoners – villagers with their right to let their stock graze the Forest – are at constant risk of being hit by cars.

Last year 55 animals were killed on Forest roads and a further 21 injured.

The Verderers have launched a new campaign to reduce the carnage, and their marquee at the show includes an exhibition containing graphic images of dead ponies and badly-damaged cars.

A spokesman said: “Animals have about as much road sense as a small child. Many drivers can’t understand why the animal stepped out in front of their vehicle. It probably did see them coming – but it didn’t know that by walking in front of them it would be killed.”

A large number of collisions are said to be caused by motorists flouting the 40mph speed limit that exists on all unfenced roads.

The spokesman added: “A police speed camera van has been operating in the Forest since October, 2014, and it’s hoped motorists will think about their driving.”

“It’s hoped that the van will encourage all motorists to drive within the limit and to think about how they are driving.”