SUNNY weather and top attractions made a Bury show a big hit on Sunday.

A crowd of 5,000 people headed for Goshen Fields for the 58th annual Bury and District Agricultural Society event and no one went home disappointed.

The show costs more than £15,000 to put on, but all cash remaining once the bills have been paid goes to local charities.

Delighted organisers saw all their hard work rewarded with a large number of entries in competitive classes for cattle, sheep and horses.

And an array of stalls, side-shows, rides, trade and craft stands kept the throng busy during gaps in animal judging.

Although the traditional competitions are the mainstay of this long-standing and popular day, Firestorm - the North West Fire Brigade Parachute Display Team - stole the show for many this year. The 10-strong outfit wowed the crowds, dropping in shortly after 3pm. Liz Forrest, society secretary, said: "We had a wonderful day. The weather was superb and the crowd was more than twice as large as it was last year.

"I would like to thank local people for supporting the event.

"There was a good number of entries for the vintage car display. And entries were up in trade stands, rural crafts and in the light horse section. Entries were good in the cattle, heavy horse and sheep sections.

"And the display in the arts and crafts tent was particularly good."

Liz thanked the event's main sponsor, Stubbins-based England Environmental (Northern) Limited and society president Mr Nigel England.

And she added: "I would like to thank programme advertisers and everyone who supported the show this year.

"We hope to move to a permanent show ground in Bury next year.

Pictured enjoying the show are Lauren Penning (10, centre) and Melissa Davies (7) make friends with Hereford bull Masefield Rebel with owner Mr Len Cox.

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