An extra 54 acres of car parking has been provided for visitors to this year’s Royal Welsh Show, opening at Builth Wells today following chaotic scenes last year when vehicles became bogged down.

Show chiefs are urging visitors to use recommended routes and car parks along major roads leading into the town in an attempt to avoid problems.

An extra 54 acres of parking is being laid on this year with more permanent roads and extra temporary access surfaces after atrocious weather conditions in 2007 contributed towards 10-mile tailbacks at the event.

Princess Anne opens the showpiece this year, the first time in four years it has received a royal visitor. More than 200,000 people regularly attend the show at Llanelwedd, Powys.