VISITORS to this year's Ryedale Show showed true Yorkshire grit by battling heavy showers and a sea of mud.

Secretary Christine Thompson said the show had record entries in the majority of classes with only a handful of entries being put off by the weather.

"Luckily we did not get the rain that other areas of the country experienced on Monday enabling us to get everything set up," she added.

"Everyone was expecting the show to be cancelled but it takes a year to organise so we have to keep going if we can."

Christine said that despite the difficult conditions everything had run to schedule.

"Everyone has been in good humour and the quality of the livestock is second to none as usual," she added.

"Thanks must go to the local community, show council and around 150 volunteers we have on the day who help in their own time and allow the show to go ahead."

Show president Freda Cockerill, who has been involved with the event since 1980, said it was fantastic that so many people had attended despite the weather.

"Everyone always looks forward to coming to Ryedale - it is a show enjoyed by so many people," she added.

"We are grateful, as always to the Shaw family for allowing the use of the land."

Mrs Cockerill said: "I felt very honoured to be asked to be president as Ryedale Show is such a super day and very enjoyable."

Ryedale MP Kevin Hollinrake, said he had attended the show lots of times and it was one of the best in the season.

"The other shows are great but Ryedale is more about the livestock side which is important," he added.

"British farmers are doing a great job and so many people support them so we need to make sure the issues that affect them are up there on the political agenda"

Mr Hollinrake said: "This is a fantastic show which really helps to promote Ryedale, which is already doing well in terms of tourism, from the farming point of view as well."