ORGANISERS are hailing the success of this year's New Forest and Hampshire County Show - despite the heavy rain that fell on the second day.

Tens of thousands of people flocked to New Park, Brockenhurst, to enjoy a summer spectacular that has been part of Hampshire's social calender for almost 100 years.

The total is unlikely to be known for about two weeks but show bosses have admitted that visitor numbers were hit by Wednesday's downpour.

Last year's event attracted 90,000 spectators from across the south and the figure for 2017 is expected to be about the same.

Show secretary Denis Dooley said: "Everyone came prepared for the bad weather on Wednesday and there was a great atmosphere but numbers were down."

The overall figure is expected to fall short of the record set in 2015, when 105,000 spectators poured into the huge showground to watch the Household Cavalry and other attractions.

Mr Dooley added: "Yesterday was very busy and everything was extremely positive.

"I'm not anticipating any records but the most important thing from our point of view is that people enjoyed themselves - that was our main aim."

The biggest attraction at the three-day show was a spectacular display by motorcycle stunt king Jamie Squibb.

The 35-year-old daredevil staged a variety of gravity-defying tricks as his bike leapt a 70ft gap between two ramps, one of which was mounted on the back of a lorry.

Other attractions included international show jumping, the heavy horse musical drive and the Pony Club mounted games.

Families making their way around the showground soon spotted Del Boy and Uncle Albert from the TV sitcom Only Fools and Horses.

The two wheeler-dealers were portrayed by professional lookalikes Steve Rooney and Ray James, who happily posed for photographs with a replica of Del Boy's three-wheel van.

Several people took to social media to praise the show.

Esther Tharme said: "Brilliant day yesterday. There was so much for the kids to do we didn't get to watch the big events."

One of the spectators who went on Wednesday claimed that New Park was a "bog" and described the car park as a "slip-slidy nightmare".

But Danielle Goddard King posted: "Not as bad as it could have been. Got in and out no prob!"