The soldiers' gun carriage, pistol and sabre work was among the displays at the 133rd show, where organisers have expanded the showground by 3,000 square metres to cater for demand.

Despite apparent economic slump and blue tongue restrictions, director David Tite said there had been a 10 per cent increase in the number of trade exhibitors this year, with the show at Kelleythorpe taking up around 100 acres.

Around 20,000 visitors were expected to see the traditional judging of livestock, including everything from charrollais sheep to meat producing British blonde cows and dairy goats, as well as fox hound parades, show jumping and that celebration of good meat, the carcass competition.

Mr Tite said the show, the largest one-day event of its kind in the region, was vital in uniting town and country.

"It's about agriculture - it's about livestock, the sheep, the cows and the farmers who make the food we eat. It introduces people to the grass roots and shows people from the inner cities what it's all about."

Among the successful cattle exhibitors was Rebecca Berry, of Doncaster dairy farmers W and M Seels, whose British blonde Burghwallis Star was named show champion, adding to success at the Great Yorkshire Show.

"She's a fantastic cow, but mostly like her name she's a star," said Rebecca.

More details and results »