With livestock bringing prices half those they fetched 20 years ago farmers must look after themselves, says Paddy Wrightson, general manager of Craven Cattle Mart, Skipton.

Proposing the toast to Keighley Show at the 42nd event on Saturday he said in 40 years as an auctioneer he had never experienced what was happening now and described how livestock prices had fallen £5 in ten minutes.

Mr Wrightson said the general public thought farmers were highly subsidised, and urged guests at the show luncheon to encourage people to buy British. He said stringent slaughter and hygiene laws made British food safer than imported goods. But he said farmers would have to look after themselves because the government would not.

Show president George Emmott responded with reminiscences of his family's involvement with the show since he attended his first meeting aged 15. Earlier, chairman Jeremy Mackrell had praised the 11 months of work by members of Keighley and District Agricultural Show Society and the Keighley News for its publicity of the show.

A crowd of more than 7,000 flocked to Marley Fields, which have housed the show since the transfer from Victoria Park several years ago. There they saw exhibits ranging from cattle, sheep, goats and horses to giant vegetables. The aim was to attract all age groups to a family event and new attractions this year included a pet show, display of Honda Goldwing motor cycles and a dog agility demonstration. There were 57 trade stands and a craft marquee with a further eight displays.

Advance ticket sales went so well that extras had to be printed. And, after a low key show last year following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, it was all systems go this year for a high-profile event packed with attractions. The show is now one of Yorkshire's largest one-dayers.

The marquees housed the usual variety of exhibits from beautiful flower arrangements, mouthwatering cakes and biscuits and intricate handiwork to pigeons, poultry and rabbits. A grand parade in the main ring was followed by a parade of vintage tractors. Displays featured 50 years of Land Rovers, there were selections by Haworth Band and an owl show. Special buses were laid on by Keighley and District Travel to transport people from the town centre and there was free parking for those using their own cars.

Publicity secretary Christine Spencer says many visitors arrived later than in previous years but stayed later, apparently because of the numerous attractions aimed specifically at children. "We were quite pleased with the day," she says, "We were happy with how things went."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.