Thousands at Staffordshire County Show

Thousands turned out for the first day of the Staffordshire County Show, despite the rain putting a dampener on the occasion.

Around 30,000 people attended yesterday, some 5,000 down on last year's first day, but show bosses were hoping to make up the shortfall today despite the forecast of more downpours.

Richard Williams, chief executive of the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society, which organises the show, said most people came prepared for the weather and improved roads at the site meant that few people got muddy. He said there were signs this year of the economic gloom lifting a little for farmers, although not all sections of the industry were feeling it.

"We've had our recession," he said. "The number of farmers have thinned out and generally agriculture is doing better.

"Meat prices are up, sheep are doing well, and grain prices are also healthy. The only people taking a battering at the moment are dairy farmers." Vying for rosettes at the two-day event are 400 cattle, 500 sheep, 100 pigs and 100 goats as well as 1,200 horses.