THE biggest agricultural show of its kind in the North lived up to its reputation again with record numbers of entries from across the country.

Trawden Show took over the village and surrounding farming community yesterday as thousands of visitors flocked to the recreation ground and neighbouring fields to enjoy Pendle's biggest one-day event. Volunteers arrived to make bacon 'butties' just after dawn and were there 12 hours later clearing away tents, pens and debris, long after the last of the excited crowds had gone home happy after a great day out.

Show chairman, Stephen Land, said: "It's been marvellous, a great day.

"We had record entries across the board. In the sheep section alone there were 1,200 entries. It exceeded what we hoped for. "It looks like we had a good number on the gates and the car parks were full. The weather wasn't brilliant but it didn't put people off coming and we have been very well supported both by local people and the farming community."

The tragic death of Abi Guy, five, in a farming accident in Colne last week was mentioned during lunchtime speeches in the president's tent and condolences paid to her family, who are well known in local farming circles.

The show included a vast range of activities, competitions and displays, including sections for sheep, cattle, horses, rare breeds and poultry, a dry stone walling contest, show jumping and dog trials. There were also rides, stalls, a Chariots of Fire display team involving animals tackling flaming obstacle courses and mini-motorbikes.

Bus operator Stagecoach ran a special service from Colne to the showground and police set up a one-way system through the village and Winewall to ensure traffic chaos was kept to a minimum.

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