Thousands turn out for first-ever Shrewsbury Live event - in pictures

Held for the first time ever the Shrewsbury Live event at the Greenhous West Mid Showground saw families pack out the stands to watch a host of action packed displays.

Leading the line-up was a performance from the Big Pete Monster Truck Team, with a car-crushing extravaganza, that captivated the thousands surrounding the main arena.

Lining up with two giant vehicles named 'Big Pete' and the 'Grim Reaper', drivers Michael and Chris Murty, from Yorkshire, ran through a routine that included a tug-of-war that saw one car sheared in two – with the wreckage dragged around the arena like the spoils of a bloodthirsty Roman Gladiator.

They followed the contest up with a performance that saw both monster trucks driving, and practically leaping, over four cars which had rescued from the scrapheap, only to be squished under the 475kg tyres of the 7.5 litre, 500 horsepower, Chevrolet V5 powered vehicles.

Michael, who had kept the crowd entertained with a running commentary throughout the performance, said they were delighted to have been invited back to the showground.

He said: "It all came about because the people at the showground had the monster trucks here before and the crowd loved it. They got a great reaction and they thought long and hard about it and decided to create an event that had monster trucks, the road bikes, the horses, all the things that make really action packed displays.

"It was an experiment to see if we would get the numbers and it was really well received and I think they have done a wonderful job. It is a beautiful showground too and we really enjoy being here."

At points during the show the trucks were off all four wheels and flying through the air, and Michael admitted the show is not without danger.

He said: "Of course it is dangerous. The trucks themselves are as safe as we can make them but trucks were not made to fly!"

The monster trucks might have been the headliners but they were backed up with equally action packed shows from the Guido Lewis Equestrian Stunt Team and extreme mountain bike show, before a slight change of pace for the David Seamark Sheepdog demonstration.

The rest of the show field included a host of stalls, live music, monster truck rides, go karts, and a fun fair.

Jan Forrest, showground manager, said the interest in the monster trucks at the county show had provided them with a perfect opportunity when a gap opened up in the showground's calendar.

She said: "It was after the success two years ago where we had the monster trucks at the county show and the kids absolutely loved it. We thought that we really should put them on again.

"A slot in the calendar became available and we thought that's what we will do, just an event concentrating on the main arena."

Ruth Simpson, who had travelled down from Buckley to watch the event with her husband and two boys said it had been a great show.

She said: "The boys have been so excited.

"They were a bit nervous about the noise but they were cheering by the end of it and I think they really enjoyed it."

Terri and Gary Bevan from Halesowen had brought their three children along to watch the show.

Terri said: "The little one, Harry, he loves monster trucks. At home he plays with them a lot so he loved seeing them for real."