HEAVY showers marred a potential record-breaking day at Malton Show yesterday when it celebrated its 125th anniversary.

Early morning sunshine turned to heavy rain by 10am yesterday just as the car park was filling up but despite this, acting chairman, Charlie Breese said he believed the show had been a great success.

Final figures on the gates were expected to be down on the record attendance of more than 8,000 last year.

But Mr Breese said livestock entries of more than 100 were the biggest for years and many classes had a record number of competitors. The standard too was outstanding with several of the beasts having won at last week’s Great Yorkshire Show,” he said.

This year’s president, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, toured the showground in a golf buggy driven by Mr Breese, as the archbishop still recovers from a recent operation.

Dr Sentamu met farmers and livestock breeders and showed a particular interest in the young livestock handlers’ section, praising them for their dedication.

In an address from the central ring, Dr Sentamu urged the public and supermarkets to support British farmers.

He said: “If we want a green and pleasant land in this country it is vital that we support our farmers.”

The Archbishop also presented a life membership award to Ian Hamilton, who has been an official and committee member of the show for 43 years.

He has also spent a lifetime farming in the Ryedale area.