THIS year's Hanbury Countryside Show was a triumphant success, drawing thousands to the village near Droitwich to celebrate the best of Britain's rural life.

Rain early on Saturday morning causes some anxiety to organisers, but the clouds cleared away, the sun dried the fields and all was set for what is fast becoming one of the largest one-day village shows in the UK.

Attractions included everything from livestock shows to arena events, with something to attract everyone regardless of age.

Clare Foster, one of the organising team, said: "It went absolutely brilliantly. We were a bit worried about the rain in the morning, but by 10.30am it had cleared.

"There was just so much to see and do, with the Kangaroo Kid, the quad bike rider who jumped over a Land Rover and a Jaguar and was an extremely popular attraction, to the wonderful display of heavy horses horses with their brass harnesses.

"New this year was the horticultural marquess, which attracted a lot of local entries in classes such as home baking, vegetables, preserves and so on."

She said that the turn-out this year was very good, although exact attendance figures are not yet available.

The show dates back to 1947, when it was founded as a gymkhana, but since 1985 it has been held Park Hall Farm, home to the Heath family, and with 22-year-old Richard Heath now at the helm, the show has been expanded to promote all aspects of rural living and employment.

This year's show included enlarged food and craft marquees, new agricultural classes for pigs and appearances by the Hanley Hall alpacas and Midlands Bird of Prey Rescue.