VANDALS who wreaked havoc at a North-East agricultural show at the weekend, failed to spoil the fun for thousands of visitors.

The vandals targeted the horticultural marquee at Wolsingham Show, in County Durham, on Saturday evening, smashing plant pots, snapping prized vegetables in half and stamping on some of the flowers on display.

Many of the exhibitors were devastated when they saw a year's hard work ruined in one rampage.

Frank Walton, of Westgate, whose 25-year-old prizewinning cactus was badly damaged, said: "It looked a mess, there were broken vegetables everywhere and flowers which had been thrown to the ground.

"It was so demoralising to find the exhibits you had nurtured over the years had been ruined by wanton vandalism."

The horticultural classes continued yesterday with only a few items taken from the show benches, and the incident did not deter the crowds who braved the September chill to attend the highlight of Weardale's agricultural calendar.

Judging from the queues, the popular attractions for youngsters proved to be henna tattoos, nail art, face painting and the more lively quad bike rides.

Gentler pursuits included a falconry display by the Ridgeside Bird of Prey Centre, wood sculpting demonstrations, Crook Model Aircraft display and music from Cockerton Silver Band.

The BSJA show jumping made a welcome return to the main ring at Wolsingham for the first time in five years yesterday.

Another successful new attraction was Saturday's Rat Show arranged by the Northern Rat Club.

There were more than 100 trade stalls offering sporting and leather goods, and crafts such as decorated glassware, jewellery and handmade furniture.

One of the highlights of the event was the millennium Parade of Agricultural Heritage from the past 100 years, featuring horse drawn carriages and vintage tractors.

It proved so popular, that the organisers, the Wolsingham and Wear Valley Agricultural Society, is hoping to bring the parade back again next year, when it moves the show to new, larger grounds it has bought, half a mile away from the present site.

Wolsingham show continues today with the sheep dog trial from 8.30am and harness and greyhound racing from 2pm.