Thousands enjoy heat and fun at showground

Thousands of people from across Shropshire and further afield came to a hot, sun-kissed Shrewsbury to enjoy a "perfect" 120th West Mid Show.

Organisers said the show – a celebration of rural life – attracted more visitors than last year's event which was marred by wind and rain.

The glorious weather this weekend and a scheme to let children in free helped boost attendance at the two-day extravaganza, show bosses said.

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David Bellamy, this year's Shropshire & West Midlands Agricultural Society president, said: "It's been perfect and attendance on Saturday was up 25 per cent on last year, which is super.

"It's been a case of smiling faces everywhere and has shown off everything people in the UK should be being told about how our farmers can feed us all."

Besides the usual livestock competitions, crowds were also treated to a host of family-friendly attractions including displays from the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, a Spitfire flypast, Titan the Robot and appearances by top French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.

Gary Tudor, show commercial director, said: "It has been exceptional. We are pleased with the attendance and upbeat atmosphere.

"Everyone seems to have been enjoying themselves and there is a realisation of what a good family day out the show is and I think the sunshine has helped after three years of appalling weather."

Mr Tudor said it was "very likely" the offer of free entry for children would be repeated next year.

St John Ambulance dealt with several incidents over the weekend.

They included people tripping and falling over, plus weather-related incidents with people overheating in the humid conditions.