That was the view of Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, as the summer show season draws to a close for another year.

He was speaking after a mixed season, which saw livestock entries affected by restrictions put in place to combat Bluetongue disease.

Elsewhere a dismal summer in many parts of the county led to soggy conditions and some cancellations, while farmers at the Great Yorkshire Show were targeted for using their tractors to tow cars off the showground.

Farmers are allowed to use red diesel, which is cheaper than conventional fuel, in their tractors provided it is for agricultural use.

However HM Customs and Excise officials requested that drivers switch to white diesel at the show as they were not doing agricultural work.

However notwithstanding the disappointment Mr Cowling said that show organisers across Yorkshire had done a magnificent job in spite of the adversity they faced.

"Looking back earlier in the year many shows had the huge challenge of coping with the Bluetongue restrictions.

"The livestock entry figures for the Great Yorkshire Show were affected, as they were at several other shows, and the restrictions certainly created a huge amount of extra work and expense.

"The other major challenge was, of course, the weather.

"It has been one of the wettest seasons that I can remember, with several shows cancelled and others having additional costs. But what has been so rewarding has been the popularity of shows, despite these difficulties.

"At the Great Yorkshire we had a wonderful three days, particularly with the visit of the Queen and Prince Philip, and it was fantastic to have the support from both exhibitors and visitors.

"This gives a clear message – that agricultural shows have a valuable role to play in rural life and will continue to be supported – even if the weather is poor and it's wet underfoot."

The heavy rain throughout much of August dampened harvests across Yorkshire and led to a mudbath at Kilnsey Show, with organisers working round the clock to make the event go ahead.

It also led to the cancellation of Gargrave Show, one of the highest profile casualties of the wet weather, which was called off just days beforehand. Organisers were left with no alternative following the downpour but say preparations are already underway for next year's event.

Gargrave Show secretary Sarah Davidson said: "We are planning to repeat what we had planned for this year's show next year – we have been telling people that nothing has been cancelled, just postponed.

"For example all the judges, of which there are more than 40, who we wrote to asking if they would come next year have all said 'of course we will'.

"In the main ring we were due to have a falconry display and we have been more than happy to book him for next year."

However other events enjoyed better weather, with Ryedale Show attracting record visitor numbers.