RAIN dampened hopes of a rousing return for Sedgefield Show after an enforced year's break because of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Government restrictions meant there were no sheep, cattle or goat classes on the Robert Brown Showfield on Saturday, but organisers hope they will be back next year.

Only 1,500 people braved the poor weather, but there were good entries in most sections and a high standard of exhibits at the event.

Philip Young, chairman of Sedgefield and District Agricultural Society, said: "It is very much a local show and people enjoy coming to meet up with old friends.

"The rain is disappointing, but we always expect to make a loss because we rely on reserves from successful times in the past to meet out costs.

"With having a year off, people have lost the momentum and not everyone has come back.

"Everyone has worked hard and it has gone well, despite the weather, and people have had a good day.

"We hope to get the cattle back next year and that should make a big difference."

Trophy winners:

Horses: Hunters - Challenge Cup, Sharon Bell; Morrison Perpetual Challenge Cup, Penny Thompson.

Breeding ponies - RS Tate Challenge Cup, Mrs J Fox.

Riding ponies - Bog Hall Trophy, Georgia Robson; Tally-Ho Trophy, Mrs J O Barr.

Mountain and moorland - Kell Trophy, Colin Sanderson; best Welsh cob, Mr and Mrs Sanderson.

Ridden classes - Craven Championship Salver for Supreme Welsh Pony, Mrs N Callender; Brierdene Challenge Trophy (section A), Mrs N Callender; Boston Challenge Trophy (section B), Mrs E Allen.

Dales ponies - JW Thompson Trophy, J Daley and Son; Manorian Trophy, R Corner; Clydesdales, Mr and Mrs G A Pinkney.

Shetlands - Walker Hall Cup, J A and J Watson; Tankard, Lilla Wheatley; fancy dress, Dawn Parkin.

Horse-drawn turnout -Mrs CL Howe.

Showjumping - Open horse, Hayley Dixon; novice pony, Katie Hampton; open pony, Lauren Ward.

Produce: Young Farmers' Club Cup, Jonathan Craggs; Armstrong Richardson Cup, John Dove. Best trade stand, the Armstrong Richardson Cup, John Dove.

Horticulture: Tim Brown Challenge Cup, T Ruecroft; Jack Trotter Memorial Tankard, M Waite; A E Hart Open Challenge Cup, A Matthews; George Hutchinson Memorial Trophy, J Nicholson; Maurice Nokes Memorial Trophy, L Brown; Maurice Nokes Tray, KM Fraser; John Bell Rose Bowl, M Waite; Frank Gibson Trophy, T Ruecroft; Sylvia Hurwicz Challenge Cup, B Wright; Challenge Cup, B Wright.

Homecraft and handicrafts: Shepherds' crooks and sticks, Rowland Swinbank Memorial Cup, E Brannen; photography, CB Hunter Perpetual Trophy, Hazel Roache; handicrafts, The Paton and Baldwin Shield, Mrs D Cowan and Edith Davey; fruit cakes, Molly Bainbridge Perpetual Cup, Mrs C A Tennant; preserves, Tom Hopper Perpetual Trophy, Mrs CA Tennant; children's classes, Margaret Waller Cup, Victoria Beamish; greeting cards, Sheila Garnett Prize, Mrs D Cowan.

Pigeons: Best fancy, Bowes Trophy, Ashcroft and Dee; best racer, George Burlison Trophy, Peter Chapman; AW Dyer Memorial Trophy, Tommy Gardiner; best juvenile, Neil Pratt Trophy, Jordan Nord.

Rabbits: Best fancy, Sedgewick Memorial Bowl, P and E Smethhurst; R Iceton Challenge Cup, F Hutchinson; Sanbiase Stud Junior Shield, A Bell.

Cavy: Best in show, Alan Belgian; best young stock, Rebecca Metcalfe.

Dogs: Best in show, Mrs S Alderson; best puppy, Miss S, Mr G and Mrs A Fodden