A RETURN to full strength for the livestock classes helped to pull bumper crowds to England's oldest agricultural show.

Almost 40,000 people enjoyed Wolsingham Show on Saturday and Sunday and the strong horse, cattle and sheep classes were a big attraction for many visitors.

With tight Defra regulations about livestock movement in the wake of 2001's foot-and-mouth epidemic a thing of the past, exhibitors turned out in force for the 225th annual show.

And, as many farmers are winning their struggle to build up stock after the outbreak, the high number of entries gave judges a tough job.

General secretary Gordon Dobson said: "The good cattle classes have definitely been a boost for the show, lots of local farmers have been able to show for the first time in a few years.

"We had cattle and other livestock last year but the numbers and quality this year have been wonderful. It is about back to full strength." The horse classes were also popular, with 200 competitors in the Welsh ponies section alone.

Alongside the traditional horticultural, fur and feather, dog, craft and industrial marquees there were around 100 trade stands, giving local businesses and organisations a forum to share their work.

Among the biggest crowd-pullers on Saturday were jousting displays by the Knights of The Black Phoenix re-enactment group and harness racing.

Spectators were relieved to see harness racing driver Jane Livingstone was well enough to compete throughout the afternoon after a fall in the fourth race.

Sunday's attractions included show-jumping, Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling, motorbike stunts and a country and western tent. The show concluded on Monday with open greyhound racing and a full card of harness racing.

Results

HORSES

Driving classes: J R Stevens Trophy, D Miller; junior driver shield, R Corner; riding pony champion, C Atwill. Dales ponies: W Findlay Challenge Trophy, R Corner; High Weserley Cup, R Corner; Coloured horses: R W Stobbs Trophy champion, C Merrigan Martin; M A V Saddlery Shield, A Robinson. Breeding hunters: M Wilson Trophy, J Cameron. Ridden hunters: Lowfield Trophy, Les Moorhouse. Shetland ponies: Walker Hall Associates Challenge Trophy, S Atkinson; Butterby Shetland Pony Challenge Trophy, S Atkinson. Fell ponies: H Jewitt Challenge Trophy, E A Mothersole; Rackwood Perpetual Challenge Cup, D Urwin. Welsh (Section A and B): J L Moore Challenge Trophy, I Marsden Hendry; Flinor Stud Challenge Trophy, A Jobling; Talgoed Stud Perpetual Challenge Trophy, R G McNeal; George Winn Memorial Trophy, K Nixon; Hepplewood Trophy, RK McKenzie. Welsh (Section C and D): Alexander Challenge trophy, C Nee; Deerness Trophy, R G McNeal; Waterhouse Trophy, J Pride; Talgoed Stud Perpetual Challenge Trophy, C Nee; George Winn Memorial Trophy, K Nixon.

CATTLE

Beef bull: H D Ward Memorial Cup, J M Thompson. Beef type cattle: J H Craggs & Jnr; Junior handler, J H Craggs & Jnr. Limousin: Challenge Trophy, AK & C Stafford. Cow/calf: Castlewood Trophy, Robin Williamson. Young Farmers/ handler: R W Stobbs Perpetual Challenge Cup, G & J A Sedgewick. Highland cattle: E Halford. Dexter: W Rheim Memorial Trophy, Sam Hunt; Meadowlands Smasher Trophy, Sam Hunt; Breed Spoon for Champion, Sam Hunt.

SHEEP

Challenge Cup for blue face Leicester, W Wearmouth; Newlands Hall Cup for Swaledale, Ian Collinson; R H Thompson Memorial Trophy for mule, A C & SA Hutchinson; Texel Champion Trophy, J Winter.

FUR

Best cavy in Show, G E Phillips. Best rabbit in show, J Weatherald.

HORTICULTURAL

William Lambert Trophy for chrysanthemums, Jim Howard; George Gill Memorial Bowl for dahlias, P Watson; Scotch Isle Trophy for best leeks, M Jones; J F Humble Trophy, J Soulsby; Most points flowers, S Hodgson, Most points vegetables, Kevin Richardson; Most points in show, S Hodgson.

INDUSTRIAL

Photography: best display in show, T Simpson; best taken in 2003 show, A Wright. Art: best exhibit, A Belgian. Children's classes: decorated rich tea biscuit, K Gledhill; chocolate crispies, C Coates; something I've made, D Hildreth (12-16), B Willey (8-11) B Waters (5-7).