Thousands brave the heat for Minsterley Show

Horse displays and livestock judging took place at Minsterley Show, while vintage vehicles were also on display.

The show is now in its 140th year and this year a high-profile guest joined the throngs of farming families.

Neil Parish, chairman for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, himself a Devonshire farmer, came to talk to showgoers about pressing issues such as falling prices of goods, such as milk and lamb, and the crippling effect of bovine TB on local cattle farmers.

But he said he was also there to enjoy the day and get a taste of Shropshire life at Lea Cross showground near Shrewsbury. He was shown around by show chairman Barry Conde, who said the numbers on Saturday had yet to be counted but were expected to be up on last year.

The morning in the main arena was devoted to horses and ponies, with mounted games taking place early afternoon.

Later in the day hounds and beagles took to the arena, as did vintage tractors and classic cars.

The show saw good turnouts in the livestock section, where cattle, sheep and poultry were among the stock vying for rosettes – and there were many new competitors.

Rob Higgins, 21, was there from Bentley Ford Farm in Longnor, near Shrewsbury, showing Holstein cattle. He said: "It's my first time exhibiting, but it's always a good day. I've got second prize and reserve champion heifer."

Among the vintage vehicles was a 13-seater Model TT Ford bus, built in 1921, that ran for 30 years between Oswestry and Welshpool.

Owner Nick Onions, 41, a builder from Aston Pigott whose family bought it in 1978, said: "

We did a full rebuild and restoration it about 1980."

Also there was an ex-RAF 1948 David Brown tug, of the kind which used to haul Spitfires from their hangars, which appeared in the 2001 blockbuster Pearl Harbor.