Shropshire County Show organisers hail success for event that brings 'town and country together'

And with the show heading for its 150th anniversary next year they say they are now set up to produce an even better event at the DMOS People West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury for that special year.

Phil Thornycroft, who chairs the show for the Shropshire & West Midlands Agricultural Society, said: "It is looking like one of the highest turnouts for a number of years.

"We are delighted that the weather held fair and visitors got a fantastic show of livestock and horses. Traders reported a very busy day - there were long queues for the ice cream.

"Many thanks to everyone for coming and supporting the show which brings the town and country together. One hundred per cent we will be running it at the same time next year for the 150th anniversary."

Everyone who is anyone in Shropshire's farming community seemed to be there alongside a myriad of organisations including Army recruitment, charity causes, morris dancers and Shrewsbury Evangelical Church. Fun fair rides, arena shows, food stalls and arts and crafts makers made it a day for the whole family.

Among the vintage cars, tractors and steam engines on show was Reuben Metcalfe, from Bayston Hill, the owner driver of a Fordson New Major tractor.

Mr Metcalfe, 82, a retired electrician by trade, has been taking the vehicle to shows for 12 years in memory of his son, Noel who sadly died from cancer at the age of 33.

Noel, who had been an armed response officer with the police, had found the old tractor abandoned in a field.

"I like a laugh and so did he," said Mr Metcalfe. "It is a reminder of my late son, he was very fond of it."

Little tractor fan Charlie Evans, aged two and a half, from Telford, was in his element visiting the machinery with mum and dad Louisa and Richard.

Richard said: "It has been good today and Charlie loved it, sitting in every tractor."