THE Great Yorkshire Show attracted its biggest crowd for nearly 20 years, official attendance figures showed yesterday.

The North's showpiece agricultural event, which made a spectacular return after it was cancelled last year because of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, drew a total of 125,793 people over three days this week.

Organisers said the crowd was the largest since 1983 and was more than 5,000 up on the last show, which was held two years ago.

Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: "We're absolutely delighted with the figures. It is a terrific endorsement of the popularity of the show and is a wonderful reward for everyone who put so much into making it a success. Now, it is a case of looking forward to next year and making sure that's even better."

Intensive bio-security measures were in place across the Harrogate showground this year, but did not deter the thousands of people who wanted to show their support for British farmers.

Highlights of this year's show included a visit by the Duke of York and a thrilling end to the Cock O' The North showjumping contest, which saw Yorkshireman John Whitaker take the trophy.

In the livestock classes, the supreme beef championship was taken by a four-year-old Blonde D'Aquitaine cow, shown by Paragon Blondes, of Hexham, Northumberland. The supreme sheep championship was taken by David Cruickshank, of Castle Douglas, Scotland, and the Pig of the Year was shown by Steve Loveless, of Bridport, Dorset.