Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen will travel to the show near Harrogate on July 10 for the first time since her silver jubilee year in 1977.

Last night show director Bill Cowling said he was "absolutely delighted" that the Queen wanted to visit the Great Yorkshire Showground on what will be the final day of the three-day event.

He said: "It's the most wonderful thing that she's coming, especially with it being our 150th show, a great landmark for any society.

"The Royal Family have been great supporters of the show and I couldn't ask for anything better than to secure the attendance of the Queen and Prince Philip."

The Queen used to be the patron of the Great Yorkshire Show, a role now held by Prince Charles. More than 120,000 visitors are expected at the show organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and as many as 8,000 animals are expected to be entered in classes.

Mr Cowling said preparations for the show were going well, with the only niggle being whether restrictions on the movement of cattle because of bluetongue would still be in place by July.

Earlier in the day the Queen will also visit Hull for the first time in nine years.

Details of her itinerary are not yet being revealed but her visit will come just over a year since the devastating floods which hit the city last June.

For information about advance tickets for the show go to www.greatyorkshireshow.com or telephone 01423 541222.