A TOTAL of 5,000 visitors converged on Burrs Country Park on Sunday as the annual Bury and District Agricultural Society Show reinforced its reputation as the town's most enduring event

Despite initial concerns by the organisers that the disappointing weather forecast could diminish the numbers attending, their fears proved unfounded as society officials were delighted with the turnout and the overall success of the event.

Sunday's show, the 72nd in the event's illustrious history, included sections featuring cattle, sheep, donkeys, heavy horses, light horses, horticulture plus arts and crafts.

Other attractions embraced a fun dog show, dog agility display, vintage vehicles, local produce, azlehurst School Band, Tower FM, donkey rides, pigeons and rural craft stalls.

Guests Carol and Phillip Mellin, stars of IT'V's The Dales programme, provided a sheep dog handling demonstration, geese and duck handling and sheep shearing demonstration, much to the delight of the crowds.

Other highlights of the show included the Thwaites dray, military and vintage vehicles, Bury Young Farmers tug-of-war and a grand parade. Bury North MP David Nuttall was on hand to present some trophies.

Amongst the military vehicles proving a big draw was a 1946 Willys Jeep, brought by Bury man Mr Jim Bennett, show secretary of Manchester Military Vehicles.

He said: "We had 14 of our vehicles on display at the show, including Jeeps, wagons and Land Rovers. All are privately owned and maintained."

The show also gave the opportunity for leaders of the I Will If You Will (IWIYW) female fitness project to showcase its activities and to launch its summer 'Get More From Outdoors' campaign.

Run by Bury Council with National Lottery funding from Sport England, IWIYW promoted the different ways to get more active in Bury's parks and outdoor spaces during the summer months and school holidays.

Assistant show secretary Karen Southwell said: "The event was very good indeed. We were a little concerned initially by the weather forecast, but it didn't seem to have affected the crowd. The weather was a mixture of cloud and sun. There was a slow start but it picked up by lunchtime.

"There was an excellent attendance in the cattle section and the sheep dog display was enjoyed by a lot of people. And we also received numerous comments about the Thwaites dray.

"We had a great attendance for the fun dog show and one of the judges commented on how well behaved the animals were and what excellent owners they had. I would also like to thank Hazlehurst Primary School for their entry in the arts and craft section."