BOSSES of the New Forest Show are confident that this year's event will be one of the best.

And as the shadows of two threats of recent years were finally wiped away, they were in buoyant mood as some of this year's star attractions were unveiled.

In 2001 the show was restricted because of foot-and-mouth disease problems and last year there was a danger - since lifted - that the showground might in future be turned into a huge campsite.

The cattle section is heading back as the industry moves towards a boom time and section chairman Steve Mitchell said: "We've got a fantastic entry this year - far better than we could have imagined.

"Some of the best and most impressive animals in the country will be here and the lines will include top-grade beef cattle on all three days."

With the campsite plan swamped by an overwhelming groundswell of opposition, show chairman Geoff Morgan said: "It's looking brilliant and the attitude is totally different.

"There used to be an air of uncertainty, but now we have a new togetherness and the show is going forward. I am confident we will be the best show of our size in the country."

This year's event will have a restructured livestock area, a new top-class vegetable section featuring a southern championship and to add variety, there will even be a small herd of water buffalo - complete with plenty of water to keep them comfortable.

After last year's bumper attendance, the organisers are hoping to pull in their second successive 100,000 crowd.