Thousands arrive for Ploughing Championships

Thousands of people have already arrived at the opening day of the 2014 National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois.

More than 200,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event taking place at Ratheniska near Stradbally.

People travelling to the event are advised to allow plenty of time and to adhere to the special traffic-management plan in operation.

AA Roadwatch says the approach roads to the site are busy this morning - with delays on some of the routes.

Managing director of the National Ploughing Association Anna Mae McHugh said: "It's much bigger than last year and we expect a huge attendance.

"We had an attendance of 228,000 last year, and I have a feeling we're going to extend that this year."