Bumper turnout makes show a record breaker (PICTURES)

A RECORD number of livestock entries are competing at this year's Staffordshire County Show.

More than 3,000 horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and goats will be paraded before judges at the annual two-day event, which began yesterday at the County Showground, in Weston Road, http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/mytownstafford">Stafford.

Last year the number of cattle on parade was down nearly 40 per cent due to the threat of blue tongue disease.

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But with that threat now over, organisers are toasting a bumper entry level this time around.

Richard Williams, the chief executive of the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society, which organises the event, said: "Entries have come in from afar a field as Scotland and Devon.

"We have some 500 sheep entries and 86 pig stalls booked. We also have more than 1,200 horse entries at the show this year.

"We believe the fantastic success of the inaugural Winter Fair last November at the showground has resulted in the high level of cattle and sheep entries for this year's county show.

"The recession has, however, had an effect on some sectors of the show, but we have once again been exceptionally well supported by the agricultural industry."

Organisers are expecting up to 70,000 people to attend the two-day event, which costs £250,000 to stage. And crowds are being treated to a number of new attractions.

This year has seen British Bulldogs and beagles make their debut at the event as part of the dog show. More than 1,300 dogs have been entered into the competition, including four new breeds.

Gordon Talbot, dog show secretary, said: "It might seem odd that after all these years we are introducing classes for one of the oldest breeds in the country, but there has been an increase in the number of people keeping British Bulldogs, which is nice to see."

Another attraction for this year are three Peruvian alpacas, which are closely related to the llama.

It is hoped next year will see a series of competitive classes introduced across the two days for the animal.

And with good weather adding to the jubilant mood of the event yesterday, it wasn't long before exhibitors from North Staffordshire and South Cheshire were tasting success.

Teenager Emily Paddock was celebrating after her five-year-old pig, Charlie, was named reserve middle white champion.

The 16-year-old Abbots Bromley School for Girls pupil, who lives with her family in Eaves Lane, Cheadle, said: "It's been a lot of hard work looking after Charlie and I've lost count of the number of times I've cleaned her this year, but it's definitely been worth it."

It was also good news for Anthony Spooner, from Well Farm, in Upper Hulme, near Leek, whose one-tonne-and-a-quarter bull named Advancer was named champion in the Hereford breed category.

Anthony, aged 34, said: "We won the title the year before but didn't enter last year so it's nice to come back and win it again. It's been a very good show this year."

Kathy Daley, aged 61, from Tarporley, came first with her Welsh Black cow. She said: "It's not been the easiest year, particularly for the dairy industry.

"But this award is good news, we've done very well."

This year's show features more than 400 trade stands, as well as 40 specialist antique dealers.

Sarah Gayton, who runs Warslow-based Taste Of The Moorlands, which produces handmade tarts and biscuits, said trade had been good on the first day of the show.

The 38-year-old, who lives in Leek, said: "There's a lot of talk about the recession but it's not putting people off here today.

"We've been focusing on new products instead of sitting still to make ourselves even more appealing to customers and it's working for us."

Main ring attractions at the show this year include the White Helmets Motorcycle Team, the Devil's Horsemen featuring a Wild West and Cossack Show, show jumping, parades of hounds and vintage farm machinery.

Related links:

Staffordshire Show opens its doors

County show on airwaves

Showcase for fake goods

Memory Lane