THE sad state of the UK farming industry was reflected at Chippenham's Christmas fatstock show and sale where the number of exhibitors has dropped dramatically.

Ten years ago the show would have been attended by up to 60 farmers all eager to show off their prize cattle and sheep, and sell prime stock for the Christmas table.

But only 29 farmers took part in this year's event on Friday December 1, with far fewer numbers of cattle and sheep.

The show's organisers, Alder King Rural Surveyors, said the decline mirrored the ongoing crisis in agriculture.

The number of farms going into liquidation each year meant there are fewer and fewer farmers in the South West to attend the show.

Falling livestock prices were also placing great financial pressure on farmers who were often forced to lay off staff to lower costs.

Alder King chairman Kit Harding said: "Stock shows were a great social event in the past, but agriculture is no longer the centre of the community as it was 25 to 30 years ago.

"Farming is going through a severe recession and farmers don't have the staff or time to enter their cows in fatstock shows.

"But the quality of the stock has been very good this year, and the numbers are up compared to last year. There are still dedicated farmers who enjoy stock shows."

One of these farmers was Darrell Cheacker, 45, of Pilning, near Thornbury, who visited the show with his wife, Sarah, 46, and daughter, Laura, 20.

The Cheacker family won several prizes, including the Perpetual Challenge Cup for the show's champion beast. They snatched the top honours with their 575 kilogram Limousin Cross steer.

The cup was presented by Chippenham Mayor Sandy Webb and the Duke of Beaufort.

Mr Cheacker said: "There used to be a lot more people at the show, because there were a lot more farmers. There's fewer and fewer of us these days.

"A lot of people have lost enthusiasm because of the farming crisis, or they can't afford to employ extra men and take the time to come to shows. But we're not giving up yet and we really enjoy shows. It's our hobby."

Laura Cheacker said she was determined to follow in her father's footsteps and carry on the family farming tradition despite the pressures.

She said: "It's what I've always wanted to do. You've got to do what you enjoy."

Farmer Ian Windell, 39, of Badminton, and his wife, Liz, 37, won first prize for their Blonde Cross in the unhandled heifers category.

Mrs Windell said: "It's the first year we've brought cattle to exhibit. She's the best we've ever bred and we thought we'd have a go and be proud of what we do."

Mr Windell also blamed the crisis in agriculture for the drop in attendence at this year's fatstock show.

He said: "This was a big market when we started farming 17 years ago. There used to be up to 1,000 calves. Now you're lucky if there are 150. The show used to be the highlight of the year."

Retired farmhands Ivor Apperley, 73, and Douglas Fisher, 72, said they were saddened by the small number of exhibitors. Mr Apperley said: "We came because we used to be farm labourers and it gets in the blood. There used to be 40 to 50 farms in a radius of five miles, and every farm would put cattle in the show. But it's terrible today. There's not a lot of farms competing and there's no interest."

Mr Fisher said: "There's no enjoyment in it today. There's no whistling and singing. The farmers have lost heart."

Cash prizes were awarded to winners at the annual show dinner at the Olympiad on Monday night.