MORE visitors went through the gates at the Dorset County Show this year than ever before.

Numbers at the Dorchester event were up at least five per cent on 2011 and the predicted target of 60,000 visitors was smashed.

Organisers are still waiting for the final confirmation of figures.

Show secretary Sam Mackenzie-Green said the good weather, ticket pricing and the line-up played key roles in the show’s success.

She said: “Because many shows were cancelled due to bad weather, people really made the effort to travel the distance to get to ours.

“The sun shone for us on both days, providing motivation for our more impulsive visitors.

“We've also got our ticket pricing right.

“We've held the adult price at £10 for advance tickets with kids going free for five years now. “Last but not least, a good show is all about organisation. We couldn't put on a show of this magnitude without the commitment of our 250 dedicated volunteers.”

A surprise highlight of this year’s show was the finals of the English Sheep Shearing Championships.

Warmwell resident Dean Nelmes scooped the national title.

Next year’s show will take place on Saturday September 7 and Sunday September 8. Trade stand bookings are already being accepted.

See dorsetcountyshow.co.uk for more information.

  •  For all this year’s results from the county show log on to dorsetecho.co.uk