A RETURN to full strength for the livestock classes helped attract bumper crowds to England's oldest agricultural show at the weekend.

Almost 40,000 people attended Wolsingham Show on Saturday and yesterday and the horse, cattle and sheep classes were a big attraction for many visitors.

With strict Defra regulations about livestock movement in the wake of 2001's foot-and-mouth disease epidemic a thing of the past, exhibitors turned out in force for the 225th annual show.

And as many farmers are winning their struggle to build up stock after the outbreak, the high number of entries gave judges a tough job to pick the cream of crop.

General secretary Gordon Dobson said: "The good cattle classes have definitely been a boost for the show, lots of local farmers have been able to show for the first time in a few years.

"We had cattle and other livestock last year, but the numbers and quality this year have been wonderful, it is about back to full strength." The horse classes were also popular, with 200 competitors in the Welsh ponies section alone.

The event was hailed as one of the best by the visitors who praised organisers for pulling together a wide selection of activities and entertainment.

Alongside the traditional horticultural, fur and feather, dog, craft and industrial marquees there were about 100 trade stands, giving local businesses and organisations a forum to share their work.

Among the biggest crowd-pullers on Saturday were jousting displays by the Knights of the Black Phoenix re-enactment group and harness racing.

Spectators were relieved to see harness racing driver Jane Livingstone was well enough to compete throughout the afternoon after a fall in the fourth race.

Yesterday's attractions included showjumping, Cumberland and Westmoreland wrestling, motorbike stunts and a country and western tent. Both days also featured sheep shows by New Zealander Richard Savory, dog and falconry displays, landscaping and dry-stone wall demonstrations and a parade of vintage tractors.

Mr Dobson said: "People have said there was something to see and do for everyone this year. It has been a great success."

The show concludes today with open greyhound racing from 2pm and a full card of harness racing from 4.30pm.