THE man who guided the Royal Lancashire Show through last year's rain-plagued disaster has quit.

But chairman Rennie Pinder today denied he had "spat his dummy out" over proposals to shift the event to a weekend.

Retired nurse Gordon Roberts was last week voted in as the new chairman and announced a budget review following a fall in attendance and increased costs at this year's show, in July.

Mr Pinder, chairman of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society for four years, took over the year foot and mouth disease struck Lancashire's farming community. He said he stepped down because he 'had enough' of the role.

Vice chairman Emma Keen also stepped down, citing personal commitments.

This year's show, held in Ribchester for the second year in succession, was declared a success after the rain-drenched traffic chaos which marred the previous year's show.

Mr Pinder, of Altham, said: "I gave the society as much as I could give but it was time to step down. I nearly resigned after the disastrous show of 2003, but I decided to stay and help sort out those traffic problems.

"We did that, but it cost an awful lot of money. Also, we were probably 10,000 visitors down on what we budgeted for because people stayed away to see how the show went. It was simply time to let someone else take the reigns.

"The suggestion I spat my dummy out over moving to a weekend is total rubbish. However, I did not want the show to move to a Saturday/Sunday slot.

"People are far too busy at weekends and the show would have to compete with shopping or visiting the Lake District, Blackpool, Camelot or Manchester. But, if a democratic decision is made to move I will respect it."

Mr Pinder said he would remain as a show director but would now be able to devote more time to other commitments including seeing his grandchildren and sitting on Altham parish council.

New chairman Mr Roberts, from Cleveleys, near Blackpool, said: "Next year's show is under review. The weekend issue has not been resolved and can't be until we've sorted out our budget.

"A number of directors on the society feel moving to a weekend would improve the attendance figures because more families and working people could come.

"Unfortunately we can't do anything until we've sorted the budget out. Then, hopefully, we can look forward to next year's show."

Following the chaos of last year's event, Ribble Valley Council stepped in to oversee future shows.

A spokesman for the council said: "We are aware of the regime change and we enjoyed working with Rennie Pinder. We are equally looking forward to working with the new chairman."