DESPITE thunder storms and torrential rain, which left parts of the showground a quagmire, the 131st Weardale Agricultural Society show went ahead at St John's Chapel at the weekend.

The attendance was well down on previous years, and events such as the fell run, the fun run and grand parade had to be cancelled.

But the organisers of the County Durham show said they were very pleased that entries in some classes, notably the shorthorn cattle and goats, were up on last year.

"It's refreshing to see that the spirit which has helped to see Chapel carry on as one of the last traditional shows in the North has not been dampened by atrocious weather," said show chairman Granville Grimshaw.

But he said there would have to be some intensified fundraising during the winter months to make up for the shortfall in gate receipts.

There were several bright spots for competitors. Bill Wearmouth, who farms at Eastgate, Weardale, picked up the L Coulthard Perpetual Trophy for the champion blue-faced Leicester. He has won the event every year since 1989.

He also won two other trophies in the blue-faced Leicester classes to add to his victory at Skelton last year.

Although he is very successful in big show arenas, Mr Wearmouth said: "It doesn't get any easier.

"The competition at these little shows is as tough as ever."

Eighteen-year-old Susan Robinson, from Gosforth, Newcastle, beat some of the best bakers in the dale to pick up the Lena Dent Trophy for most points in home baking.

She is the youngest-ever winner of the trophy.

Her mother, Julia, who was born at Westgate, confessed to being "more than a bit chuffed" at Susan's success