CHIPPING celebrated its 88th agricultural show on Saturday with an unexpected boost of sunny weather.

Now its secretary Paul Hunt and village councillor Simon Hore are looking forward to the celebration of local farming, crafts and horticulture making to its century.

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Although attendance was slightly down on previous year’s 5,000 to 6,000 because of a dismal weather forecast, unexpected afternoon sun brought almost 4,000 to the show ground on Longridge Road.

Mr Hunt hopes the show will still break even and perhaps generate a small amount of cash for local charities.

Founded in 1920, the celebration of Chipping life is in its 95th year but with short breaks for two world wars Saturday’s show was the 88th to actually be held.

Main ring highlight was a motor-bike performance by Whitewell-based young stunt rider the Inch Perfect Team.

The seven-and-a-half mile race up Parlick Fell was another traditional attraction with the men’s contest won by Mark Barton of Pennine Fell Runners and the women’s by Nichola Jackson of Preston Harriers.

All aspects of farming and rural life were on view with classes for sheep, cattle, light horses, ponies and shire horses.

There were also shows for cheeses, handicrafts, cakes and preserves, a large horticultural section plus children’s and baby sections.

A dog show was also well-attended.

Mr Hunt said: “It was a great an unexpected success thanks to unexpectedly sunny weather .”

He added: “We are now looking forward to some big anniversaries - the 90th show, 100 years of the show’s existence and even hopefully a century of shows.

“That’s some way off so we are concentrating on next year, our 89th.”

Cllr Hore, who represents Chipping on Ribble Valley Council, said: “It was a great day .”