CROWDS turned out in force for Keighley Show.

Fine weather helped draw visitors in their numbers to the showground, at Marley playing fields, yesterday to enjoy a huge range of attractions.

Traditional agricultural-show classes were on offer, including cattle, sheep and horses, plus showjumping.

There was also a large poultry, bantam, waterfowl and eggs section, as well as horticulture, handicrafts, arts and crafts, and produce. A small-animal category included rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets, plus there was a fun dog show.

Goats were absent due to a lack of entries, but support was strong across the other sections.

There was a record number of entries in the cattle category, including some dairy animals making a return after several years' absence.

And the poultry section also saw unprecedented numbers, so much so that an 11th-hour extension had to be created within the marquee to accommodate all the cages.

Also on offer at the showground were children’s inflatables, pony rides and over 70 stalls and trade stands – both outdoors and under cover in the craft and local food marquee – together with a licensed bar and catering stands.

Many charities and other organisations were represented.

A packed programme of entertainment included Tom Longton and his working sheepdogs, and there was ferret and terrier racing.

Members of City of Bradford and Accrington pipe bands performed, and there were demonstrations from Yorkshire stonemasons Swales in the Dales – who displayed stone-carving techniques using traditional tools – and West Riding Wood Turners.

Fans of vintage vehicles were well catered for with an array of cars courtesy of the Craven Old Wheels Society, and tractors.

The vintage tractors ranged from a David Brown Super Cropmaster and Ferguson TED20 dating from 1952 to a John Deere from the 1980s. The HM Townend shield for best-in-show went to Stuart Baldwin, with a 1962 Fordson Super Dexta.

Show secretary, Abby Marsh, said she was pleased with how the day had gone.

"It was a bit quiet initially but got busier as the morning went on," she said.

"I think a lot of people wait to see what the weather is going to do and we were lucky – the sun came out!

"The ground was wet at first because of all the rain over the past days and a big thank-you goes to our amazing tractor people who helped pull out a few vehicles! Conditions dried up with the fine weather."

A record number of cut-price admission tickets had been sold for the show in advance online.

Visitors and exhibitors from as far afield as Derbyshire and Teesside descended on the site.

Mrs Marsh said the show society was grateful for the support.

"We were very happy overall with the level of entries," she added.

"It was a shame we had to cancel the goat section, but there were strong numbers across others – including the cattle and poultry – and we had more vintage cars than we've had for a long time."

This year's show president was Mike Cunningham, who said he'd been "tremendously honoured" to be nominated for the role.

Mr Cunningham, the horticulture section secretary for about the past 20 years, said it was a "fabulous" day.

"Normally I'm tied to the horticulture tent so it was great to see the other things that happen around the showground – I didn't realise there were so many exhibits!" he added.

"The weather was kind to us and the attendance looked to be good.

"There was plenty to appeal to adults and children alike, and the feedback from the public was excellent.

"I would like to thank Bradford Council for allowing us to use the field and the whole team behind the show, which puts in so much work to stage the event. Without everyone's fantastic efforts, the show simply wouldn't happen."

The main sponsor of the event was Keighley Town Council.

Visitors could make use of a free vintage bus service – provided by Keighley Bus Museum Trust – which operated between Hanover Street and the showground, via the railway station.