CROWDS of around 20,000 people are expected to visit Lydiard Park for the first ever Swindon Show this weekend.

The event is being organised by the Imperial Charity which raises funds to care for the elderly and help adults and children with special needs.

The charity also operates the Wessex Show and Air Pageant, which took place on May 10 and 11.

The show will feature both displays on the ground and in the sky.

The organisers say that there will be a small air display in the afternoon and live music until midnight on Saturday.

Air displays will come from both the RAF and civilian operators. Among them will be the Harrier jump jet, a small Hawk training aircraft and a flypast of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight with their Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster bomber.

Aerobatic ace, Denny Dobson, will perform a series of manoeuvres in his small but powerful Extra 300 aerobatic plane.

On the ground, the arena displays will feature: Team Extreme, and their BMX and skateboarding show and motorcycle stunt man, Jake Semtex.

There will be slower paced but no less exciting equestrian thrills from the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

The Evening Advertiser's new mascot, Alfie the Alligator, will also be there. The organisers are now hoping that the show will be an annual event.

Tickets are on sale from the Tourist Information Office in Regent Street, priced £5 for adults and £4 for children in advance or on the gate priced £6 for adults and £4 for children.

A family ticket for two adults and two children is priced £18 on the gate.

There is also the option of a weekend camping trip, which includes entry on both days for two adults and up to three children.

For more information, visit the website at www.swindonshow.co.uk.