THE man behind last year's Royal Lancashire Show has revealed the event made a £53,000 profit and has promised this year's show will be even better.

Gordon Roberts, chairman of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society, said sound financial management steered the show to its best result in years.

He has now promised to plough the money back into ensuring this year's show, to be held over a weekend for the first time in years, follows suit.

Last summer's three-day event attracted just under 60,000 visitors and ensured the show went into the black for the first time in a number of years.

The figures show a healthy recovery for a show that was nearly brought to its knees in 2003 when torrential rain and traffic chaos caused the last day to be cancelled.

The following year, which was the second consecutive year it had been held at Ribchester, was more of a success, but organisers reported a fall in attendance and increased costs.

However, a budget review that saw the show committee cut its costs by about £10,000, 2005's event made a full recovery.

Mr Roberts, who became chairman in November 2004, said: "We learnt many lessons last year and it has paid dividends with us ending up in the black for the first time in years.

"It's particularly satisfying because we started last year with nothing, because of what had happened the previous two years.

"Through sound financial management we have been able to make a profit.

"That just tides us over to cover some of the admin costs of this year's show, but it's a great starting point. Last year's show was superb but this year we hope to make some improvements.

"These could include increased prize money for show jumpers, more cattle and we are in talks with Myerscough College to see if they could play a part."

This year's show will be held from Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23.