GLORIOUS sunshine helped make a Weardale village's agricultural show held at the weekend one of its most successful yet.

This year's Stanhope Agricultural Society Show was about much more than winning trophies - people turned out in droves to show their support for farming and the countryside.

After the devastating affects of last year's foot-and-mouth epidemic, rural groups and businesses were keen to rally together to support the show in its 161st year and raise their own profile.

Among them were Liberty and Livelihood, Weardale and Tees Valley Beagles and North Pennines Foxhounds, who all occupied the main marquee on Sunday and told visitors how they feel fox-hunting benefits the countryside and the jobs threatened by a ban.

Mike Tones, master huntsman and founder of North Pennines Foxhounds, said: "We want people to hear the whole debate, a lot of jobs would be lost if hunting was banned. And hunting with dogs is the most conservation friendly method of controlling foxes as the dogs catch only the weakest animals."

Many of the livestock classes were down in numbers due to strict movement guidelines and the dog show was smaller than usual as Darlington's Championship Dog Show was also held at the weekend.

But organisers said that with a host of extra attractions at the venue, Unthank Park, visitors were far from disappointed.

One of Saturday's star attractions was The Weardale Horse-S-Quad Quadrille - a team of horse and quad-bike riders who perform a routine together.

And on Sunday members of the crowd held their breath in anticipation as Jez Avery, originally from Sunderland, performed mountain bike stunts over young volunteers.

There were also falconry displays from Ridgeside Falcons, of Spennymoor, music from Stanhope Silver Band and The Bourbon Street Roofraisers, and visitors got to try their hand at JCB steering in a demonstration vehicle from Diggerland.

Show secretary Mike Robson said that the good weather on Sunday crowned a brilliant weekend.