THIS year's Monmouthshire Show was one of the most successful yet, with around 20,000 people making their way to the Vauxhall Showground.

The final number of ticket sales was not available, but Show Secretary Mrs Kay Spencer said there were nearer 20,000 than 19,000 people on the Showground.

There were a few showers, but they failed to dampen the enthusiasm of visitors and exhibitors alike. The rain finally came as the show was drawing to a close, resulting in the hot-air balloon grand finale lift off being abandoned.

Mrs Spencer said entries were up in the sheep and horse sections and she was extremely pleased that the cattle had kept up as well as they had in the current economic climate. There were nearly as many cattle entries as last year, although unfortunately the Show did not host a round of the Welsh Beef Championships so entries were slightly down.

This year's event clashed with the Burghley Horse Trials so some of the major trade stands could not come to Monmouth, but they have promised to return next year.

For the first time in its 140 years history, the Show had a lady Chairman. Rose Buchanan had been associated with the Show for several years as horse steward, committee member and Chief Steward of the Craft Area of the Show.

Main attractions included The Flying Gunners motorcycle display team of the Royal Artillery, pony club games and the Tricky Tykes Terrier Racing Team.

The stars though were the exhibits - a magnificent display of animals of all shapes and sizes, from the caged birds to the cattle.

The winner of the Vizard Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the inter breed beef cattle championships was T and S Jones of Clehonger with their British Limousin Bull. The Coles, Knapp and Kennedy Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Champion Commercial Beast went to Mr Derek M Winney of Madley with his Limousin Cross steer. The champion dairy cow award went to Andrew Pearce.

The supreme champion sheep was a British Charollais owned by Mr DFDaffurn and Mrs Jennifer Curtis from Evesham.

Top dog was an Old English Sheepdog called Against All Odds of Soundwell owned by D Haynes and Mrs CWalker from Bream.

Local businessman Frank Sutton again won the large agricultural trade stand section with his colourful display of flowers.