THE organisers of the annual Richmond Meet have vowed the show must go on - despite anticipating a financial loss due to the impact of foot-and-mouth disease.

The three-day carnival over the Whitsun weekend has only ever been cancelled twice in its 109-year history - both due to wars.

The crisis in farming is not expected to have such a severe impact as worldwide armed conflicts in the past century.

However, even though the epidemic appears to be easing its grip on the nation, families from the countryside, who have attended in the past, may still not wish to risk leaving their land - or taking the disease back with them.

President, Heather Clark, said: "I can understand why people are still reluctant to travel around the area; there is a great fear of being responsible for spreading this disease, and being the cause of hardship to an already hard-pressed industry."

The programme for this year's festivities begins on Friday, May 25, with the president's reception.

A pipe band championship at Richmond Castle follows on the Saturday, with a junior football tournament at Earls Orchard, renamed in memory of Geoff Hunter, who helped organise the event until his death last year.

A dance follows in the evening at the clubhouse at Richmondshire Cricket Club.

Family entertainment continues at Earls Orchard, on Sunday, with the now traditional carnival parade through the streets on the Bank Holiday Monday.

The weekend also includes a jazz competition in Ronaldshay Park, national cycling championships, more family entertainment at Friary Gardens and a civic church service on the Sunday.