LAST minute preparations and a dedicated team of volunteers saw a Dales agricultural show hit new levels of success this weekend.

Organisers of Wolsingham Show estimated more than 25,000 attended the event which surpassed last year’s record of 20,000 visitors.

Regarded as the oldest agricultural show in the country, there was something for everyone to enjoy at the 239th annual event.

Along with the traditional cattle and sheep classes, visitors enjoyed everything from vintage vehicles to motorbike stunts and horse displays over the 90-acre site.

Little ones had their fun with Punch and Judy puppet shows, inflatables and even got the chance to take part in ferret racing, while those of all ages enjoyed live music and indulged in homemade goods and having a drink as the sun shone all weekend.

Commentator and member of the marketing committee, Mark Watson, said the success was down to a huge team effort and particularly thanked the five farmers who had loaned their fields to the show at the eleventh hour to provide extra car parking.

“We are very grateful to the five landowners who stepped in at the last minute to the point where were were taking down fences at 9.30pm on Friday night to expand the site,” Mr Watson said.

A new media campaign had also seen more than 300 signs erected throughout the region from as far as Northumberland to North Yorkshire.

Life member and former president, Ken Lough, who has been volunteering since 1948, said entries were up in every section this year.

He said: “All the volunteers are very keen for the show to continue and we try to make it a fun day for everyone.”