SUMMER suits and wellies were the latest fashions at the Royal Lancashire Show's Ladies' Day!

Deep mud didn't put off the elegant dressers at the fashion shows at Astley Park, Chorley, at yesterday's opening of the three-day event, but most decided to compromise with boots instead of stilettoes.

"We're smart from the knees up," joked Caroline James, of Waddington Road, Clitheroe, who was judging the most elegant lady competition.

The wet summer had left the ground too soft for the weight of hundreds of stallholder's vehicles, resulting in mud covered avenues and 18-inch ruts.

Stranded lorries meant many stands were delayed setting up and events ran an hour late all day.

The Citroen in Fashion roadshow was abandoned because of conditions but the catwalk show went on at the Ladies' Marquee.

It was a full house as models strutted their stuff in stunning dresses and leather gear from Garbo Fashions of Wigan and stylish hats from Get Ahead, Great Harwood. Organiser Pamela Swift said: "We had to park miles away in Chorley and by the time we got here the models had been rained on.

"The organisers have done everything they can but you can't do anything about the weather."

The best dressed girl competition was won by two-year-old Ella Wright of Swallowfield, Blackburn, who won a voucher from Kid Cool clothing, Southport.

Show spokesperson Judith Roberts said several agricultural shows had suffered this year and the grounds would be rollered in the evening.

She said it wasn't a record year for entries because farmers had been affected by the wet summer.

But fine weather during the afternoon brought the crowds to watch the beautifully groomed and beribboned shire horses and the ladies' showjumping in the main arena.

The rural crafts stand was also busy with demonstrations of leatherwork, basket weaving, dried flowers, jewellery and carved walking sticks.

A grand parade finished the day with the Lancashire Constabulary Mounted Branch Display Team and the Normandy Band of the Queen's Division.

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