71984-30DESPITE the miserable weather, hundreds of people turned out for the annual Cricklade Show.

Organisers had hoped the weather would stay dry for the event, which this year was aiming to attract a wider audience, but the rain didn't stay away for long.

As well as the usual horse and dog shows, there were activities for children including bouncy castles, rodeo rides and inflatable slides.

A tug of war contest between Cricklade rugby and football clubs entertained the crowds, as did a welly throwing contest and bird of prey demonstration.

The Major Wrecks, a group of male majorettes from Devizes, also brought a smile to many faces in the audience as the men donned their skirts and twirled their batons.

Families came from far afield to support the show, which has struggled to win back the crowds after the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001.

While children Zachary, 11, and Saffron Green, eight, dared each other to ride the Raging Bull Rodeo, dad Scott said: "We haven't been to the show for a couple of years and thought it was about time we came along and supported it again."

Co-organiser of the event Sarah Elliott said: "This is probably the biggest show we've staged since foot and mouth and we've worked really hard to try to re-establish it. It seems to have gone very well."

Emma-Kate Lidbury