Princess Alexandra officially opened the Virtual Royal Cornwall Show this morning (Thursday).

The show is taking to the airwaves on BBC Radio Cornwall this year because of restrictions on large gatherings caused by the coronavirus.

From Thursday to Saturday presenters will be talking to past best of show winners, Cornish entertainers, farming and business leaders and much more.

Opening the show on air this morning Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, said: “I was delighted to be asked to open this very different Royal Cornwall Show being broadcast on BBC Radio Cornwall over the next three days.

“I have such happy memories of visiting the show, most recently last year, and having the chance to meet so many wonderful people there I know what an important event it is in so many people’s lives: whether you work in agriculture, commerce, entertainment or are simply visiting to see the very best of what Cornwall has to offer.

“I hope this virtual show will remind you of the delights of Wadebridge and allow you to join in.

“I fear that this dreadful virus has hit the Cornish economy very hard.

"I do hope that your agriculture, fishing and tourism businesses which are so important will very soon be able to be working flat out again.

“Meanwhile I know that these last few months have once again shown the strength of Cornwall’s community.

“As part of this let us celebrate the enduring spirit of the countryside and hear from those that make Cornwall the wonderful place it is.

“So with that in mind I declare the 2020 Virtual Royal Cornwall Show open.”

Listeners can tune in at any point from Thursday to Saturday.

On the weekday breakfast shows Julie Skentelbery and James Churchfield will be talking to the winners of prize-winning livestock in the Main Ring – and will be challenging listeners to put on their own Main Ring show at home.

From 10am to 2pm David White will be chatting to guests and hearing live music in the RCS Live Lounge.

Meanwhile, Laurence Reed will be talking all things farming and business in the beer tent during the afternoon.

In the evening Tiffany Truscott and Debbie McCrory will be in the virtual food and farming tent.

On Saturday morning Jack Murley will bring you the sights and sounds of the flower tent, including floral art and wonky veg and in the afternoon Donna Birrell will be chatting to the charities and voluntary groups that keep the show running.

Emma Clements, editor of BBC Radio Cornwall, said: “Nothing could replace the sense of community as hundreds of thousands of people descend on the Royal Cornwall Showground to catch up and share the best that our county has to offer.

“Hopefully our virtual show will be somewhere to come together, chat and have fun and keep the spirit of the Royal Cornwall Show alive.”

Tune in to BBC Radio Cornwall on 92.5FM, 103.9FM, online and on the BBC Sounds app.