THERE was kinder weather at the Great Yorkshire Show today, after Tuesday's downpour, and Princess Anne made the most of it as she inspected the event's first ever ladies' sheep-shearing competition and a dry stone wall sculpture, known as the Crimple Valley Oracle, by Johnny Clasper.

It's been a week of firsts but the perennial favourites are also in abundance at England's premier agricultural event. TV chefs Rosemary Shrager and James Martin are making everyone's stomach rumble in the Game Cookery Theatre.

Then there is Britain’s largest annual cheese and dairy show to keep it rumbling - including the Grand Départ challenge between French and Yorkshire cheese-makers,called Homage to Fromage

But most people were outside enjoying the warm sunshine. Welcome to Yorkshire held a beach party, visitors set up impromptu picnics and there wasn't an umbrella to be seen all day.

Of course farming is at the heart of the show and organisers say there has been a record number of entries in the competitive classes totalling 12,843, which is 200 more than the previous best, and there also are individual records for cattle and sheep.

Over in the main ring the Yorkshire Volunteers Band entertained crowds ahead of the show jumping classes, and Lorenzo, dry this time, again wowed everyone with his amazing display of horsemanship.

On the President's lawn the accolade of most impressive display is being fought out between Barber,a restored Edwardian steam loco and Steve Medhi's Yorkshire Man of Steel. But there is no doubtingthe most poignant is the BBC's First World War exhibition.

Honorary Show Director, Bill Cowling says the whole show has been a great success.

"After the fantastic Tour de France we are delighted to have welcomed so many more people to Yorkshire, " he says. "If that wasn't enough we've also had two super royal visits. This show goes from strength to strength year after year."

It was announced today that Mr Cowling has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, by the Lord-Lieutenant Lord Crathorne.

Tomorrow is the last day and promises to be a cracker, culminating with the grand cattle parade in the main ring. Once again the Great Yorkshire Show has flown the flag admirably and as the Grand Depart proved, this county is second to none when it comes to putting on a spectacle.