Duchess practises bakery skills

The duchess said it was important children knew how food was grown

The Duchess of Cornwall joined children in baking a batch of organic rolls on the first day of the Devon County Show.

About 93,000 people are expected to visit the showground over the next three days.

The number of cattle on show is down by about 17% mainly due to movement restrictions in place because of TB.

The duchess, who is president of the show, kneaded and shaped the dough and put her roll into a wood oven with half a dozen made by children.

She was practising her baking skills at a mobile bakery run by organic farmer Ian Shears, from Highfield Farm at Topsham, near Exeter.

She was very enthusiastic, very hands on - I was impressed Ian Shears

Mr Shears' son, three-year-old Matthew, was given a royal helping hand to make a roll shaped like a turtle, was told by the duchess: "It looks more like a hedgehog."

Mr Shears said he appreciated the duchess's help celebrating local food.

"She was very enthusiastic, very hands on - I was impressed," Mr Shears said.

The show, which runs from 15-17 May, is the largest agricultural show in the county calendar and acts as a showcase for Devon's food and farming industry.

The duchess said her affection for the show had grown

Spread over 93 acres, it is the first major county event of the year.

This year, the show features new trails for children to help youngsters find out more about the countryside and where their food comes from.

Before leaving the Westpoint showground, the duchess went on an unscheduled 100-yard walkabout, shaking hands with scores of people, and posing for a picture with members of the Bideford Youth Pipe Band.

She said: "Few things can be as important as reconnecting children, and indeed adults, with the land and helping to understand how food is grown."

On Friday, the Duchess's food writer son, Tom Parker Bowles, will judge the show's Spring Sausage Competition.