RESIDENTS and visitors may have been disappointed with Saturday’s weather – but organisers of this year’s Ellingham Show were delighted.

The event, now in its 62nd year, attracted record crowds, with people still going into the showground in the beautiful grounds of the Somerley Estate late into the afternoon.

Michael Lingham-Willgoss, spokesman for the show, estimated between 17,000 and 20,000 people came along – the biggest turnout to date. Mr Lingham-Willgoss said: “It was a wonderful day and we had an enormous number of people. Everything went incredibly well.

“The weather was exactly right, because it wasn’t beach weather and it wasn’t raining. Everyone has been saying how much they appreciate that we are a traditional show. It seems to work for everybody.”

Attractions included more than 150 trade stands offering everything from cars to clothing and garden furniture to jewellery, a farmers’ market, and a fishing competition at the River Avon.

As always, the animals proved a popular draw, with show jumping, fun dog classes and shows of cattle, sheep and donkeys.

There was also a Shetland Grand National a heavy horse parade and a petting zoo.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service put on displays in the main arena and many people gravitated towards the marquees containing homemade and domestic produce, arts and handicrafts.

Ellingham and Ringwood Agricultural Show Society will not be resting on its laurels.

“We are already planning next year’s show,” said Mr Lingham-Willgoss.

“Not only do thousands of people have a good day out but at the end of the day, we donate a lot of money to local and national charities and run a bursary scheme for agricultural students.”