ALL creatures great and small were preened and proudly paraded for the 75th annual Shaftesbury and Gillingham Show.

Around 25,000 people packed into the event yesterday for a true flavour of life in the country.

With 400 cattle, 500 horses and 500 sheep - not to mention the bees, rabbits and guinea pigs as well as a large number of entries to the horticultural events - the 90-acre site was crammed.

And there were so many stands that traders had to be turned away.

Families lolled in the sun, watching show jumping and shire horse parades and there was a surprise flypast by the Red Arrows and a scheduled flypast by some Tiger Moths.

The more unusual activities involved a group of young farmers dressing as pantomime cows and being led around an obstacle course.

Show chairman David Jeffery said: "I think it must have been a record crowd and that's largely down to the weather.

"It has been hard work organising. Putting everything up took just over a fortnight and I think the show cost a quarter of a million pounds. Much of the profit will go into making next year's event a success.

"By coming to this show people see things they would have expected to see 100 years ago and I hope that's part of the attraction. We don't see these things in the field or on TV as much now."

Ice creams and cold drinks were selling fast as the temperature soared to more than 30 degrees. There were dozens of craft stalls, food stands and marquees selling alcoholic refreshments.

Local dignitaries attending included mayors and chiefs from North Dorset District Council as well as North Dorset MP Bob Walter.

He said: "It's a great show. There is a tremendous sense of community solidarity. I've been coming every year for 10 years. It's a good chance for me to meet with people and discuss local issues with them."

First publication: August 18