SOPHIE, Countess of Wessex, is to be 'crowned' president of this year's Westmorland County Show in a prestigious royal coup for the 218-year-old event.

Excitement is building at Lane Farm, Crooklands, where the Countess will make an official visit on Thursday, February 8. Well-known Levens farmer John Geldard will hand over the presidency of the Westmorland County Agricultural Society to Her Royal Highness, and she will chair part of its annual meeting.

"We are exceptionally lucky," said Christine Knipe, society chief executive. "It's superb to think she's going to be our president for a whole year.

"It's a recognition we are one of the oldest shows nationally and we are held in very high esteem not just in the North West or in Cumbria but in agricultural circles around the country."

Sophie charmed the 30,000-strong crowds at 2013's county show as its first ever royal VIP guest. She cut a stylish figure in a tailored tweed jacket and brown leather knee-length boots as she chatted to onlookers, farmers and exhibitors at the Lane Farm showground.

Like her brother-in-law Prince Charles, whose visit last year was also a resounding success, the 53-year-old Countess is known for her keen interest in farming and the campaign for British wool.

Describing Sophie as "very down to earth", Mrs Knipe said there would be no red carpet rolled out, explaining: "It will be as it is. It's a formal business meeting, but there's usually a little bit of jollity and informality.

"There will be the opportunity to have lunch with us and meet quite a few members and start to build our plans for the year.

"She's kept a watching eye over the society since she visited the show in 2013. She's patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations and I'm chairman of that, so our paths have crossed a few times since she visited and we've kept in touch.

"She's an amazing lady. She's very knowledgeable and very passionate about the agricultural show industry. She understands the importance of our industry in being that link between 'farm' and 'urban', and the very important roles that agricultural shows play."

While in Cumbria, HRH is also to visit Carlisle Mencap and to open Annie Mawson's Sunbeams Music Centre, near Penrith.