THIS year's West Wilts Show has been launched with promises that it will be as big and popular as ever.

The show, sponsored by the Wiltshire Times, was launched with a preview reception at Trowbridge Civic Hall on Thursday, attended by local dignitaries and sponsors.

This year the show will be opened by Major General the Duke of Westminster, and will feature music from Eighties pop legend Midge Ure, 70s glam rockers The Sweet and the Ultimate Brian Adams Tribute Band.

Carers Support West Wiltshire and Larkrise Community Farm have been chosen as the two local charities to be supported by the show.

Introducing the show ITV West presenter Peter Rowell said: "This is one of my favourite shows. I love the fact that it is right in the heart of the community and that it continues to be free."

The ninth show will take place over the last weekend in July.

It is the largest free show of its kind in the southwest.

Mike Williams, chairman of the show's steering group, said: "This year I'm confident it will be as good as ever. I can't say it will be bigger because we can't get any bigger."

He said the show performed an important role promoting west Wiltshire.

"It really is a shop window of west Wiltshire as a place to live, a place to work and a place to spend your leisure time."

This year new features include an art exhibition in the Civic Hall organised by the Trowbridge Rotary Club. There will also be a parade through Trowbridge lead by town crier Trevor Heeks.