Thousands attend county truck show

Thousands of people poured through the gates for Shropshire's annual truck show - which featured the added bonus of a Coronation Street heart-throb.

The sun shone down on Shropshire Truck Show, which was held at Oswestry's Park Hall Showground yesterday and Saturday.

It has become one of the largest in the region, featuring a showcase of the truck industry alongside family entertainment.

Monster trucks and trade stands were among the attractions at the fun-filled family event, along with Corrie star Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw.

The actor, who has starred in the ITV soap for almost a decade, signed autographs for fans while enjoying the attractions at the show yesterday.

Entertainment in the arena included the car-crushing showdown between monster trucks Lightning and Podzilla, a Backdraft wheelie fire truck, freestyle moto-cross rider Jamie Squibb, a crash rescue recovery demonstration, and trade stands.

Breathtaking

Spokeswoman Gina Howson said: "The wheelie fire truck Backdraft returned to the event, and leading Freestyle Moto Cross rider Jamie Squibb also gave a breathtaking display of tricks.

"Even local recovery operators and emergency services featured in Crash Rescue — a dramatic accident rescue demonstration in the arena.

"There is no other show like this in the country and it's the only place where such a wide-range of attractions are available in one place for truck enthusiasts."

Organisers estimated that several thousand people attended.

"We discovered that bringing in a celebrity from the world of television really gives an extra boost to the attendance, she added.

"But the show really does have something for everyone and that is why it has been so successful."

Other attractions included a display of the top trucks in production from across Europe, the latest truck awards ceremonies and a mini-village of trade stands, stalls and displays.

By Brett Gibbons