FUN was in the air as thousands of people turned out in force to enjoy the annual Melplash Show.

The traditional country show featured hundreds of classes and competitions ranging from livestock and showjumping to cookery, handicrafts, photography and art.

The show also boasted a selection of cookery classes, including the popular Best Bridport Banger judged by Richard Balson, of RJ Balson and Sons Butchers.

Organisers kept their fingers crossed for good weather and they were in luck as the sun shone for the majority of the day without any showers.

Melplash Agricultural Society chairman Brigadier John Dean hailed the event as a ‘tremendously successful show’ and gave his thanks to all the volunteers who helped out on the day.

He added: “The show was undoubtedly one of the best we have had and all the competitions were well supported.

“The show was greatly enjoyed by everyone that I spoke to and we had very nearly record numbers if we didn’t beat the record – the crowds were definitely bigger than last year.”

Mr Dean also praised the efforts of all the volunteers, stewards and others.

He added: “The show couldn’t possibly operate without the team of volunteers who come year after year and all the stewards and others who come from some distance away.

“It’s a tremendous team effort.”

Among those to visit the Melplash Show were holidaymakers Lauren and Rob Todd with their daughter.

Lauren said: “We’ve been staying in Lyme Regis which is lovely, but decided to visit the show because we came here last year and loved it so much we wanted to come again.

“The show is one of the main events in West Dorset and has a really exciting atmosphere, as well as being great for children.”

Eastenders star Ricky Groves, who is well-known for playing Garry in the popular TV programme, also visited West Bay for the event and thanked the community for welcoming him.

Ricky, who has also recently appeared in Strictly Come Dancing and ITV’s celebrity diving show ‘Splash’, said: “I’ve been absolutely delighted to come along and see an event which really shows Dorset at its best and sees the community come together to support one another.”

At the event, food lovers were also in for a treat with cookery demonstrations which took place throughout the day from celebrity chef Mark Hix, cheese-maker Carol Hatch and Helen Choudhury, proprietor of the Taj Mahal restaurant in Bridport.

The food hall was very busy throughout the day, with hungry spectators snapping up the local delicacies and sampling some of the finest drink Bridport has to offer.