Government officials have been criticised for not doing enough to “safeguard” the future of the Royal Welsh Show.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society says the Welsh Assembly Government has failed to allocate enough funding for this year’s show, which is held at Builth Wells.

Alun Evans, chairman of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s council, has hit out at officials, saying they should do more to help support the show.

He said the Royal Welsh Show is regarded throughout the United Kingdom as a prestigious event and is recognised as one of the largest agricultural shows in Europe.

“We are providing a shop window for Wales that is difficult to quantify in value of sales.” said Mr Evans.

“We know the showground provides a venue for many throughout the year to highlight Wales and its products.

The show displays livestock, food products, skills in countryside management, the enterprise of young people, and many other activities.

As a nation we should be safeguarding the future and ensuring all these are allowed to develop with suitable funding.”

He praised the local authorities throughout Wales for their support.

No-one from the Welsh Assembly Government was available for comment.

This show takes place between July 21 and 24.