PERSISTENT rain has failed to dampen the spirits of the organisers of one of the region's favourite village events who insist the 107th Osmotherley Show will go on.

The show has been cancelled three times since 2000, once through foot and mouth and twice because of flooding, but this year organisers are optimistic. Deputy Chairman Mike Reed said: “The big attraction will be the sunshine, and it has been a bit miserable putting all the tents up in the rain but the ground is actually quite dry, so it will go ahead and it will be a fabulous day."

Attractions include livestock, horse and pony classes, a dog show, hound parade, gun dog scurry, fell race, Osmotherley silver band, flower, fruit and vegetable classes and special classes for children.

The show is held on the showfield at Home Farm, Thimbleby on Saturday, August 1.

One of the highlights is the fell race, a six mile scramble up Black Hambleton, which is open to anyone over 16.

“People just enter on the day, some people have come along and decided to enter when they arrive, it’s always a great spectator spectacle," said Mr Reed.