ATTENDANCES plummeted as the heavens opened at the Lan-chester Show last weekend.

The show was shaping up to be one of the best ever on the Saturday with entries up and the sun shining, but rain kept the crowds away on the Sunday.

Despite the damp and dull conditions, however, the 49th annual show was a bumper event, although entries for the sheep classes were slightly down and the cattle class didn't go ahead.

The event's joint secretary Bill Cliffe said expectations were high for a classic show before the rain came. He said: "We had 200 plus classes and some new additions to the show such as Dave Sleight and his display of lurches, which proved to be very popular. Also new to the programme was a clay pigeon shoot which was a major attraction."

After all the high hopes, Sunday's events turned into a damp squib. "It has been very disappointing and conditions worsened as the day wore on," added Mr Cliffe.

It's not the first time the Lanchester Show has had troubles. Three years ago waterlogged conditions forced organisers to change the venue to a site in Consett at the eleventh hour.

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.