POOR weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of visitors to the region's leading countryside event, the Great Yorkshire Show.

In spite of rain on the last two days, the overall gate figure of 124,502 was one of the highest in the history of the event, which was staged at Harrogate this week. The record is 131,075, which was set in 1979.

Honorary show director Christopher Hall said: "Inevitably the weather plays a part, but it is a mark of the esteem in which the show is held that so many visitors came.

"Now the work starts, not only for next year's show, but also for the Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair here in October."