THE biggest one day agricultural event in Wales, which hosts a range of livestock classes and horticulture competitions, attracted its target of 20,000 visitors.

Monmouthshire Show organisers were pleased to see the sun shining down on the showground following the previous year's rain affected event.

The event has been running for 154 years and this year a film crew from BBC's Country file series with television presenter Clare Balding were on hand to document the flavour of the occasion for an edition to be aired later this month.

The show traditionally celebrates the best in farming, whilst entertaining the crowds with various attractions that featured a freestyle motorcycle demonstration in the main ring.

The show is an opportunity for some 350 trade stands to show off their wares from local produced cheese to traditional cider making.

After the grand parade of the livestock champions, the members of the Monmouthshire Hunt paraded their hounds in the main ring and leading huntsman Matthew Hickmott invited the children into the arena to see the animals at close hand. Monmouth MP David Davies took the opportunity to say that the law banning fox hunting should be reviewed.

Anna Williams, secretary of the Monmouthshire Show Society, said that the event had been a fantastic day and that the showground seemed to be bursting at the seams with its visitors.

She added: "This is my first event as show secretary and I even though I was rushed off my feet, I still felt in control. Kay Spencer, who occupied this role for such a long time was on hand to offer assistance.

"We are on target to get 20,000 people through the turnstiles and much of this is due to the weather holding out.

"The layout of the show ground has been altered slightly with the avenues converging on the main ring. From the feedback we have received it seems that this has been a good move as people are able to move about much more freely.