THE BEST the countryside has to offer was displayed to up to 18,000 show-goers in Alresford last Saturday.

Visitor numbers were down by a few thousand on last year’s annual agricultural show, with a damp start to the day, and late harvesting for farmers thought to be the reasons. But it was still a great occasion for families, with the grand parade of champion livestock the centrepiece attraction at Tichborne Park.

Ferret racing, vintage tractors, heavy horses, birds of prey, bees, poultry and immaculately turned out beagles and bloodhounds all wowed the crowds.

More than 150 trade stands, selling everything from licorice to combine harvesters, were a hit, as was all the locally-produced food being sampled.

Produce was also a crowd-pleaser at the Alresford and District Horticultural Show incorporated into the event, which was founded in 1908.