Thousands of people have flocked to the grounds of Salesbury Hall this weekend as the area hosted one of Lancashire's showpiece annual events.
The Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show returned once again as people from all over the country came to the heart of the Ribble Valley to see the best of Lancashire’s agricultural heritage.
As well as the usual cattle shows, the British Simmental Cattle Society held their national competition over the weekend, as will the Dorset Horn and Dorset Sheep Breed Society, the Northern Blue Texel Club Show, and the Northern Portland Show.
Huge crowds visited the show (Image: NQ)
Pig competitions, which were introduced to the show in 2022, featured again on a larger scale, while rabbits and poultry were also welcomed back to the event.
Aside from animal shows, there were more than 120 exhibitors bringing a wide variety of stalls, including locally sourced food and drinks, clothing, handmade jewellery, candles, and much more.
There was something on offer for all the family, with the children’s village providing fairground rides and bouncy castles while the army village came with an inflatable assault course and stationary vehicles for youngsters to play in.
Donna Kenyon, who travelled to the show from her home in Manchester, said: “We’ve had a lovely day, it’s been really nice.
Vintage tractors on display (Image: NQ)
“It’s a lovely family day out, there’s such a massive range of things to do.
“We enjoyed the Shetland pony racing, the falconry, and looking at all the different classes of animals.
“This is our second year, we came last year as well. It’s a really nice atmosphere and we’ve really enjoyed it.”
Other events included the lamb national sheep race, a ferret show, dog agility, giant tortoises, a zip wire, donkey rides, vintage tractors, fishing displays, sheep shearing demonstrations live music and a Thwaites Shire Horse parade.
Colin Mustoe, chairman of the show, hailed a “fantastic” weekend so far for the Friday and Saturday and looked forward to the show continuing into Sunday.
Show chairman Colin Mustoe (Image: NQ)
He said: "The show has been fantastic. The weather yesterday (Friday) was probably too hot, but today (Saturday) it’s lovely. A bit overcast but no rain.
"There’s been nice big crowds, and we’re ready for a great day tomorrow.
“I don’t have the figures, but it’s certainly well up on the last two years (for attendance) and it’s been good today as well.
“I like the showjumping, I like walking around the animals where we’ve now got a huge number compared to what we had some years ago, over 1,600.
"It really is an agricultural show again which is what we wanted to try and do.”
Tickets were priced at £23 for adults, £8 for children aged 5-15, and children under five went free.
Colin added: “Times are tough for most families. The tickets here are very reasonable - £45-50 for a family. You can come in and you really need not spend any more money unless you want to, there’s so much for people to do.
"A family can come out and not worry about what they can afford as opposed to another family.
“This is a show for the family, it’s not about making money. It’s about getting the family out and getting back to their roots, which is the country.”
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