The Great Yorkshire Show will go ahead despite the unprecedented weather conditions over recent weeks, it has been confirmed.

A final inspection of the showground took place this morning.

A number of special measures have been put into place during two months of contingency planning.

These measures include:

• A new park-and-ride scheme 1.5 miles from the showground at Plompton Bar with continuous loop of free buses
• An increase in free shuttle buses from Harrogate Railway Station
• The creation of a new internal road to assist car park access
• Stoning up gateways
• Using miscanthus, a green energy crop, to absorb wet
• Tracking for access into the car parks

Yorkshire Agricultural Society Chief Executive Nigel Pulling said:

"The showground is in reasonable condition; we have about seven miles of roads and plenty of permanent buildings, and the ground itself is holding up well.

"However, we have had to reduce the amount of car parking significantly due to the exceptional wet conditions and several car parking areas will not be in use.

"Those in use may well be wet underfoot and it will take longer for us to park the cars."

The show’s organisers are appealing to visitors to car share or use public transport wherever possible.

Northern Rail has put on additional services and extra carriages, and are free shuttle buses running to the showground from Harrogate Railway Station.

Specialist vehicles are on standby if cars do need to be towed out but drivers are asked to ensure they know where the towing eye is on their vehicles.

Visitors are also advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the wetter than normal conditions.