ATTENDANCES at a County Durham agricultural show plummeted over the weekend - and it was all beyond the organisers' control.

Rain yesterday kept the crowds away from Lanchester Show, providing mixed fortunes for the annual event.

Despite the damp and dull conditions, no events were cancelled and those braving the elements were well entertained.

Everything began so well for the 49th Lanchester Agricultural Society show when summer skies brought thousands of visitors to Saturday's opening.

Entries in every class were well up on last year and expectations were high for a bumper show, said the event's join secretary Bill Cliffe. He said: "We had 200 plus classes and some new additions to the show such as Dave Sleight and his display of lurchers, which proved very popular.

"Also new to the programme was a clay pigeon shoot which was a major attraction.''

But relentless rain meant Sunday was not a repeat performance. "It has been very disappointing and conditions worsened as the day wore on,'' said Mr Cliffe, speaking from the muddy secretary's tent.

But Lanchester show has faced troubles before, such as three years ago when waterlogged conditions saw the venue changed at the eleventh hour to a site at Consett.

The show carried on then and, despite this year's setback, organisers remain confident everything will be firmly on track for next year's 50th anniversary show.

Because of the conditions, results from the competitive classes were not available yesterday. They will be published in The Northern Echo tomorrow.

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