Emily Hassan with her prize winning Norfolk Horn ram lamb at last year's Aylsham Show. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

An annual farming and family event in north Norfolk is expecting to be boosted by a series of cancellations of similar shows.

The Aylsham Show traditionally attracts more than 16,000 people to the grounds of Blickling Hall on the last August Bank Holiday Monday.

But the Eye Show in Suffolk due to be on the same weekend has been cancelled this year as organisers pressed the pause button citing the impact of the economic downturn on visitor numbers as one of the reasons, but vowing to return next year.

That combined with the recent last minute scrapping of the Wayland Show after a sewage leak, and the calling off of the second day of the Suffolk show, like many others around the nation, though bad weather was likely to leave showgoers and exhibitors hungry to enjoy a day out at Aylsham, said show secretary Chris Self.

Livestock judging entries were looking strong at the event which attracted visitors from all over the country, some of whom timed their holidays around it, said Mr Self.

The show aimed to promote farming but also provide family entertainment - and in a good year a £30-40,000 spin-off of donations to local charities.

Attractions at the show this year include the devil’s Horsemen Cossack trick riding, David Seaman’s sheepdog demonstration, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

There are also cookery theatre demonstrations and the announcement of the annual food heroes awards.

Vintage vehicle and tractors, showjumping, and have-a-go children’s events such as fancy dress, sack racing and tug of war were also on the programme.

Mr Self said it was a tried and tested formula that was also a chance for the farming fraternity to socialise after the gathering in of the harvest.

The show president this year, George Bell from Erpingham, said: “It remains true to its agricultural roots while doing what it needs to do to draw in people from all walks of life to support the good causes to which the show contributes.

www.aylshamshow.co.uk