PREPARATIONS will reach their climax in Wirral today, ahead of one of the biggest free shows in the country over the weekend.

The Wirral Show – which regularly attracts up to 60,000 people to the New Brighton showground at any one time – is almost ready to receive its first visitors tomorrow morning.

Headlining the aerial part of the show will be internationally-famed Yakovlevs aerobatics display team, flying their Russian-designed Yak aircraft.

Equally awesome, and back by public demand, will be the Royal Artillery’s Black Knights parachute team, dropping into the showground with pinpoint precision.

David Highet, one of those involved in organising the event, said the “intense activity” of setting up the showground on “The Dips” at New Brighton, had been taking place through the week, with advance teams for many of the performers setting up.

He said: “It’s going extremely well in terms of getting it ready for Saturday and Sunday.

“The show has become a firm family favourite over its 33 years, and people who first came here as children are bringing the next generation along.

“It’s very nice to see that loyal support from across Merseyside and even farther afield, from North Wales and Cheshire, too.”

This year, visitors will also be able to take a close-up look at the bright yellow helicopter of the North West Air Ambulance and the tiny craft flown by the West Lancashire Microlight School.