Dorchester Show visitors are being urged to arrive early to avoid holiday traffic.

Thousands of people are due to converge on the county town on Saturday and Sunday for the popular agriculture show.

Police chiefs have put together a package of measures which they hope will reduce the time showgoers have to wait in traffic, but they are urging visitors to set off for the show as early as possible to avoid the queues.

Insp Andy Mason, the Dorchester Police section commander said: "The police and highways authority have worked together in the planning of this event and hope any disruption is kept to a minimum.

"The highways authority will be providing comprehensive advance direction information and warning signs," he said.

He advised showgoers approaching from the east by the Puddletown bypass to leave the road at the Northbrook junction and follow the B3142 towards Piddlehinton turning left at Waterston towards the show ground and public car park.

He said as part of the measures to keep traffic flowing, the Stinsford roundabout towards Dorchester will be made one way towards Dorchester between 6.30am and 3pm. The nearside lane will be for through traffic and the outside lane for show traffic.

Greys Bridge will be closed to through traffic towards the Stinsford roundabout during the same hours, and only show traffic will be allowed across the bridge.

All other traffic will be diverted via Kings Road and Church Street.

Traffic on Slyers Lane will be one way towards Charminster from Slyers Cross, again on both days between 6.30am and 3pm.

There will be no access to the A35 towards Poole via Dorchester town centre and traffic is advised to remain on the Dorchester bypass at Monkey's Jump.

"There will be no access to the show site from the direction of Charminster, the road being closed adjacent to the last houses to allow access to residents only," said Insp Mason.

"The Piddle Valley Road will be closed to through traffic and show exhibitors, except horses, from the direction of Piddlehinton and the Westerton turning, traffic being diverted towards Puddletown, again during the above times."

Traffic going to the public parking area at the show will be allowed towards the show ground in the normal manner. "

He added: "We would urge the public to arrive as early as possible on Saturday to avoid holiday traffic."