The Duke of Edinburgh is making his first visit to the Bicester and Finmere Show on August 3.

He has been patron for most of the show's 43-year history but has never been able to visit before.

Sally Haynes, a show committee member, said: "We have to write to Prince Philip every year to ask him to renew his patronage, which has always been done. This year he was asked if he would pay a visit and he agreed."

Miss Haynes, of Winslow, near Bicester, said that in the past he was unable to come because the show date coincided with the Royal family holiday at Balmoral.

She added: "But we have had to bring forward our show day, because some of our horse show classes are qualifiers for the Horse of the Year Show, at Birmingham, and the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead, Sussex, next year."

The show was founded after Miss Haynes was partially paralysed in a fall while out hunting. Friends arranged the show in support of her and it has continued ever since.