THIS year's Devon County Show, held at Westpoint, near Exeter, on May 21, 22 and 23, was a great success!

That was the verdict of organisers and visitors who went along in record numbers to the show billed as "Devon's big day out".

As an example, 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 round.

RAN OUT OF PARKING SPACES

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 vehicles, we had no choice but to stop admitting more people."

There are approximately 12,000 parking spaces around the Showground and a further 300 to 400 were used at Crealy Adventure Park, half a mile away and all were taken by 1.30pm.

It is estimated that there was a bumper attendance on the 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, the 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 1,000 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."

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