AMONG the attractions at Malham Show was the bright sunshine which bathed the showfield for most of the day.

Regular visitors to Malham know the weather isn't always on its best behaviour so secretary Tony Cawthorne was absolutely delighted.

"After, as always, a very bad week in which we've had driving rain, I'm delighted with the weather today.

"We've had lots of new entries, so many in the cattle section that we've had to extend the exhibition area this year.

"Everything seems to be up this year, although I'm not sure on the gate attendance just yet. I think we're starting to recover numbers after foot and mouth in 2001. The farming side of the show definitely seems to be coming back," he added.

Joining the regular exhibitors and trade stands this year were the Yorkshire Dales Trekking Centre, whose members gave a display of riding skills in the main ring, the riders and hounds of the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt and the Tyke Trial Cyclo Demonstration Team.

A Bavarian Oompah Band kept the visitors entertained and there was a healthy entry in all the children's sports classes.

For the first time Malham featured a farmers' market selling local produce. It had stalls selling meat, pies, plants and soap along with arts and crafts.

In the craft tent were some superb examples of local talent with pottery, jewellery, hats and toys.

As well as its agricultural classes, Malham is also known for its sports events and there were high entry levels in the fell races and Trailquest mountain bike event.

Sheepdog trials and a dry stone walling competition provided more unusual attractions for visitors not used to agricultural life.

Chairman Paul Bolland welcomed everyone to Malham in his address and said he hoped all the visitors would enjoy the day.

Show president for 2005 was Bill Bland, a previous past chairman, who was accompanied by his wife Muriel.

Giving out the cattle prizes, Mr Bland told the Herald he was enjoying his day very much. "It's an honour to be asked," he said.

"I have had a wonderful day and I'm delighted to be taking part as president and hope that everyone enjoys being at Malham for the day."

This year's show was supporting the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and it made a flying visit to the showfield. The yellow helicopter touched down near the heavy horses and created a stir.

Brian Moorhouse took the Mellin Cup for best local dairy animal with a pedigree Holstein Friesian while the best commercial beef cup went to Dan Rice, from Church Garth, Yeadon.

It was the first year the Rice family had entered Malham and their prize winner was a 14-month-old Limousin steer, Danheir.

"We thought we would come up here and support the show because a lot of people we know said it was a very good one," said Mr Rice. "We'll definitely be coming back next year to try to defend our title."

The Haygarth family from Wigglesworth took the best local sheep and reserve prizes as well as the Woodrup Cup and the Verity Trophy.

Keighley-born Hal Lister, who became a lecturer at Newcastle University, was also at Malham Show to launch his new book, Our Shangri-La Malham.

The book is about a group of friends who came to Malham every weekend, summer and winter during their teenage years.