The prestigious Pembrokeshire Agricultural Show at Haverfordwest's Withybush Showground is under threat.

The three-day event - regarded as second only to the Royal Welsh - attracts over 90,000 visitors and brings in £12 million to the county.

But Pembrokeshire County Council now wants to move the show - which has been held at Withybush since 1959.

Proposals have been put forward for an intra Wales air network, which includes Haverfordwest Airport.

The council, which owns the airport, says it needs the use of all the runways 52 weeks of the year, so that it can be licensed for commercial traffic. The north/south runway is currently out of action two weeks of the year during the show. There are also plans to build an motel next to the airfield.

But society members describe the prospect of Withybush as a viable commercial airport as 'fanciful'.

First indications of the county council's proposals came at the beginning of last year. Meetings have been held between the show society's general manager, Malcolm Crossman, and county council and Welsh Development Agency representatives.

But so far the society has been offered no suitable alternative site.

Templeton Aerodrome - currently leased to the Ministry of Defence - has been suggested. But with its narrow road system, no services and no suitable buildings, it has been rejected out of hand by the show society. "It is not a viable option," said Mr Crossman.

"It simply cannot be compared to the Withybush site, which has been described by the chairman of the Wales Tourist Board as in the top dozen agricultural festivals in Britain, injecting in the region of £12 million into the local economy."

He added: "A conservative estimate for establishing an alternative showground, to the standard of the existing Withybush site, would be many millions of pounds."

Another option would be land near the present showground. But, again this is uncertain as it is in private ownership and might have to be obtained through compulsory purchase, and the society does not think it would provide enough space.

After an emergency meeting of the society's executive committee last week, members remained puzzled at the determination of the council to remove the County Show.

They point out that it is already possible to fly anywhere in the United Kingdom or most parts of Europe via the existing air charter company that currently operates from the airport.

In a letter to county councillors, Mr Crossman states: "Could I ask that you check that officers of your authority are confident that they can attract a scheduled air service and are not embarking upon something that is purely speculative; also please ensure that our show, which has a proven record, is being replaced by something that is a vital cornerstone of the local economy."

A council spokesman said: "The council is seeking to resolve how the show can continue to expand and build on its success, while at the same time allowing Haverfordwest Airport to serve the economy of the county to its full potential.

"Only last week the Welsh Assembly Government published a consultation document in which one of the options for consideration was an intra -Wales air network connecting north, south and west Wales, involving Haverfordwest Airport.

"The council's consultations on the future of the airport and its relationship to the showground are at a very early stage. The options being considered are for the long-term benefit of Pembrokeshire, and the key objectives remain the growth of the County Show and the future development of the airport.

"The council has offered to work with the showground committee to explore all available options. Discussions are at a very early stage and questions such as implications for traffic movements and possible compensation claims are extremely premature.

"Haverfordwest Airport is a publicly-owned facility which supports the economic development of the county while meeting its financial objectives."