Water buffaloes, alpacas and a heavy horse display will be some of the attractions at a popular show promoting rural life.

The annual Norfolk Smallholders Training Group (NSTG) show and market, which is in its seventh year, will be taking place on Sunday August 4 between 10am and 4pm.

It will be returning to Sheringham Park, owned by the National Trust, after it was temporarily held at Holt Hall last year.

The show will be free for NSTG members and children under 16 but £5 for non-members. The entrance fee includes car parking and access to Sheringham Park.

Bernard Ashe, show committee member from Great Ellingham, said: 'There is a real buzz about the day. It is in a lovely setting this year. It is a very nice village show where there is something for children and adults. People come back to it year after year and will come from far and wide. It is the highlight of our year.'

Mr Ashe said it was popular with holidaymakers in north Norfolk because it was a cheap day out for the family.

He added there has been increasingly more interest in different aspects of owning a smallholding because people wanted to know where their food comes from.

The show will include 56 different stalls, a poultry tent and main ring.

Events in the ring will include heavy horses at 10.30am; alpaca walking at 11am; chainsawing at 11.30am; a fun dog show at noon; and children's races at 2.30pm.

Outside the main ring will be entertainment from the band Copperplate; sheep shearing at 10.45am; and a beehive opening at 11am.

Expert advice on running a smallholding will be on offer during the Question Time session at 11.15am.

For the first time in the show's history, two water buffaloes from Suffolk will be at the event and people will be able to meet them at 12.45pm near the main ring.

Mr Ashe said the water buffalo appearance would be 'fantastic' for the show which attracts about 3,000 people each year.

The NSTG was formed in the late 1980s by a group of volunteers and runs training courses in all aspects of looking after a smallholding. Its 500 members also give advice to people who are new to Norfolk.

For more information about the group visit www.nstg.org.uk or call Mr Ashe on 01953 451963.