Thousands of people flocked to Llanelwedd for the opening day of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair including Royal guest – Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

Her Royal Highness arrived by helicopter at one of Britain’s most popular agricultural shows on Monday to attend as patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations.

Despite the chilly weather the Countess of Wessex was greeted with a warm welcome at her second visit to the Royal Welsh Showground in 15 years. Her Royal Highness spent time watching pupils from Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd, Newtown, singing Welsh Christmas carols.

The Countess was then introduced to several traders from the 400 stalls across the showground including Builth Wells-based Bee Welsh Honey Company and Knighton mineral water company Radnor Hills on her tour around Food Hall showcasing Wales' finest food produce.

Thousands attended the opening day of the 2018 Royal Welsh Winter Fair (Picture: Phil Blagg)

She also visited the Royal Welsh Show’s trophy room, floral art and horticulture exhibits and the pigs section to present prizes to the cross-breed class.

Ending Montgomeryshire’s big year as the host county, the Royal Welsh Winter Show was officially opened by Maurice Jones, a successful dairy farmer from near Montgomery.

David Lewis, Chair of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, praised Montgomeryshire and the 2018 President Tom Tudor for their “immensely successful” year after “working so hard for their county’s wonderful effort”.

Mr Lewis described the show as having the “best Christmas prime stock in the UK” adding that this year saw increased entries in the cattle section and carcass hall, along with strong entries in the sheep, horse and pigs, floral art and horticulture.

“The event is going from strength to strength,” Mr Lewis added.