THIS year's Devon County Show — held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday — was a great success. That's the verdict of organisers and visitors who came in record numbers to the show billed as 'Devon's big day out.'

The car parks — including all the over-flow car parks — were full by lunchtime on Saturday and traffic police advised people not already at the show to turn around.

Show secretary Ollie Allen said: "We're really sorry to disappoint people who were planning to spend the afternoon at the show. But when we had nowhere to park our visitors, we had no choice but to stop admitting more people."

There wee approximately 12,000 parking spaces around the showground and a further 300 to 400 at nearby Crealy Adventure Park, were taken by 1.30pm.

Early estimates pointed to a bumper attendance on Saturday — and attendance was well up on Thursday and Friday than last year.

"It's been fantastic to welcome so many people," added Ollie. "Especially all the families with young children enjoying our first children-go-free Saturday."

A Royal visit was the highlight of the first day of the show when Their Royal Highnesses Earl and Countess of Wessex spent more than five hours meeting exhibitors and visitors.

The weather for all three days bucked the trend of recent years and was perfect — warm, sunny with no wind or rain!

Livestock numbers were also up; there were more than a thousand sheep and lots of cattle, pigs, alpacas and other animals.

Visitors enjoyed the non-stop traditional entertainment in six rings around the showground —everything from thrilling motorcycle stunts to falconry, terrier racing and tug of war.

"There was a lovely, relaxed and happy atmosphere all around the show," said Ollie. "Everyone was having a good time and forgetting about the country's problems."

Those who collected rossettes and cups at the show included Mr E C Haste of Shebbear whose British Blue 'Annawater Dash' won the Champion Male prize. Mr J G Ley of Sutcombe won several prizes with his Holstein cattle including Reserve Breed Champion. His family also picked up prizes in the junior handler competition. W H Ley and Partners of Sutcombe also won prizes with their Holstein cattle.

Mrs S A Martin of Highampton, Beaworthy won several prizes with her Devon cattle including Reserve Female Champion and Reserve Male Champion. A and J Benneworth of Pyworthy also picked up prizes with their Devon cattle. WP and SL Harper of North Tamerton went home with several prizes won with their South Devon cattle.

Sheep owners who were victorious at the show included S D Martyn of Boyton, W R Harris of Putford, Mrs P Coulter-Smith of Launceston, Mr P Cornelius, Mr J Creeper of Altarnun and Mrs E R Ruscombe-King of Boscastle whose Jacob sheep won the Female Champion and Breed Champion prizes.

Mrs J Snook-Bevis of Holsworthy won prizes with her Angora Goats.

Several members of Holsworthy branch of the Devon Beekeepers Association walked away with prizes at the show for their honey, candles and beeswax etc.

If anyone else did well at the county show please contact us on 01566 778213 or email [email protected]">[email protected]