More than 200,000 people are expected at the National Ploughing Championships which get underway in Co Laois this morning.

President Higgins will officially open the event - which is biggest outdoor exhibition and agricultural trade show in Europe.

Heavy showers are expected over the coming days - and Gardaí are warning motorists to expect heavy traffic around the site.

Now in their 84th year - the National Ploughing Championships are considered the flagship event in Irish agriculture - and they'll see over 15-hundred stands cater for over 200-thousand people between now an Thursday.

Last yearÂ’s championships were the biggest yet - with over 279-thousand people visiting the 800 acre site in Ratheniska Co Laois - spending over 36-and-a-half million euro.

Almost ten million of that was spent on food - and personal shopping accounted for about 7 million.

Organisers say they have similar expectations for the three days ahead.

With a General Election on the horizon - the usual influx of politicians is expected to be even more significant - while thereÂ’ll be a heavy focus fashion, music and motoring.

Heavy traffic is expected - and Gardaí are asking all those in attendance to plan their journeys in advance.