THOUSANDS of people flocked to the Cleveland Show at the weekend to enjoy a day of competitions and entertainment in glorious sunshine.

Delighted organisers estimated that about 12,000 people visited the event at Stewart Park in Middlesbrough - a solid recovery since the crippling foot-and-mouth disease brought the region to a standstill two years ago.

Margaret Dale, show secretary, said yesterday: "It's really been an excellent show this year.

"We've had a great turn out and the sun has been shining which has made all the difference.

Farmers, exhibitors and judges came from across the country for Saturday's event which this year saw the welcome return of cattle, sheep and goats after a two-year absence.

But the traditional Grand Parade was put on hold because of stringent regulations set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Sheep judge Thomas Hunter, said: "Lots of shows in the UK are suffering because of red tape.

"It'll take time before the numbers go back up because of this six day rule which means you can only show animals after they've been kept in isolation for at least six days."

Dog classes also fared badly this year with organisers believing the killer dog disease Canine Parvovirus, commonly known as Parvo, was to blame for worried owners keeping their pets away.

At least six cases of the disease, which kills 50 per cent of dogs which contract it, have been identified in Teesside.

Labrador judge Christine Hay said: "We normally have at least 30 labradors competing, but this year we've had only seven.

"No one brought puppies because the disease can kill very young and very old dogs."

A falconry show drew the largest crowd where people stood three-deep to watch the birds swooping to catch fresh meat from a knight on horseback and another main event showed off the talents of a gun dog team.

As well as the more traditional events, there were long queues for the funfair rides and stalls which sold everything from candy floss to bonsai trees.

The Army and the fire service gave public demonstrations and children enjoyed having a go at fire fighting in Cleveland Fire Brigade's Little Dennis fire engine, as well as quad biking and scaling a climbing wall.

This year's show saw the introduction of two new classes - side saddle and a black and white horse competition.

The overall champion of show was a horse, Tid Kin Tepee, owned by Mrs S Towers, who won the Captain Cook Trophy.

TROPHY WINNERS

HORSES

Welsh ponies: Tompson trophy, S Howard; Wainwith trophy, CD Swalwell; Addison trophy, S Howard. Shetland ponies: Walker Hall Cup, K Nixon. Butterby Trophy, J Walker. Side-saddle: Sky Blue Cup, JA Foster. Arab horses: Raisbeck Shield, P Birkbeck. Driving: W Powell Cup, T Sharp. Agricultural: Fletcher Cup, ES Cumbor. Wilkinson Cup, ES Cumbor. M Nellis Cup, RF Pearson. Dales: Ian Bruce Cup, R Corner. Coloureds: Ken Barker Shield, S Towers. Hunters: E Wilson Cup, V Rawle. MR Williamson Trophy: ES Cumbor. Riding Pony Breeding: ARP Benson Cup, C Heaton. Young Cup, NC Pease. Show ponies: Swift Cup, Emmersons. Forster Shield, K Park. Junior Ponies: W Powell Cup, M Neesham. Best rider: Gazette Cup, Jones/ Bullock. Mountain Moorland: Mackinlay Cup, I and N Thompson

SHEEP

Suffolk: Dale Trophy, L Peel. Charollais: Teesside Cup, SC and NC Hodgson. Swaledale: Flintoff Cup, D Hanson. Butchers' lambs: Wilson Cup, AC and SA Hutchinson. Texel: Perkins Trophy, S Blythman.

COWS

Collingwood Cup: W and M Gill. Ernie Knaggs Cup: GL Brooks. Stockton Corporation Cup: GL Brooks. Percy Wilson Cup: D and PA Evans. ICI Cup: A Keith and C Stafford. Hemble Cup: J Bell. JR Smith Trophy: J Bell.

VINTAGE MACHINERY

Chevron Cup for Engine: E Wilson. Chevron Cup for Tractor: J Ward.

GOATS

Best in show and best milker: RM Wood. Best goatling: Mrs Woodmass.

Best kid: MG Marshall.

PIGEONS

Champion: R Simm, Indian Fantail.

FLOWERS

AND VEGETABLES

Royal Horticultural Society Banksian Medal for most points: Mr Howarth. Evening Gazette Cup: Mr Howarth. Boots Cup: R Richardson. Stockton Stallholders Cup: R Richardson. Middlesbrough Show Cup: Mr Nicholsen and Mr Watson. Wilson Cup: Mr Howarth.

TRADE AND AMATEUR

Trade displays: Durham Nurseries. Amateur: Darlington Bonsai Society.

HONEY

Most points: AT and RT Jefferson.

FERRETS

Best in Show: A Kirk.