PLANS are now well under way for the Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show to bounce back this summer after last year's event was wrecked by wet weather.

There has been big clear-up of the site - parts of it were turned into a quagmire last year - and secretary Tony Greenham described its continuation as "a community effort, with many donations, offers of support from helpers and suppliers, the full support of the land owners and sponsorships."

One of the main attractions at this year's show, from July 25-27, will be the arrival of The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Freefall Parachute Team, The Tigers, in the main arena on the Saturday, and The Red Devils on the Sunday.

In addition, the ancient battle of Netley Marsh 508 AD will be portrayed by the Viking Re-enactment Society.

The second arena will again complement the main events of the show, with the Wessex Bird of Prey Rescue Association displaying the skills of the wild bird, and the ever popular Dog Agility Display Team again demonstrating the ability of its fun-loving pets.

Additional entertainment will feature Winnie the Witch and Punch and Judy as well as a spectacular bike and motorcycle trials display by the Waterside Junior Motor Cycle Club. Working historic machinery, some driven by majestic steam engines will display the way things used to be done.

Craft Stalls will again offer a wide range of hand crafted goods, paintings, needlework, jewelry, toys, ornaments and the like.

Arrow Management Ltd will be running the trade area which has the promise of a larger number of stalls and a wider range of goods on offer, while a young farmers' hall will be a new area to visit.

Once again, the steam engines which were the reason for the launch of the show - then called Netley Marsh Steam Rally - back in the 1970s, will be out in force, as will the vintage vehicles and motorcycles, tractors and agricultural equipment, models and stationary engines. The majestic heavy horses will be on parade in their finery both Saturday and Sunday of the show and B. Coles & Sons Fun Fair will be there.

One of South-West Hampshire's big charity events, the show was launched in 1971 and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for numerous local good causes.

Further details are available at the show website www.netleymarshsteamandcraftshow.org