FARMERS, livestock and visitors alike flocked to the Melplash show to celebrate the very best of west country agriculture.

More than 18,000 people headed to the West Bay showground last Thursday to enjoy the traditional country show featuring hundreds of classes and competitions ranging from show jumping to Scotch egg making.

The show also boasted an array of cookery classes and a selection of world-class entertainment including falconry displays and dancing sheep.

Show secretary Lucy Hart said: “We think it was probably one of our busiest years, there was a great crowd and lots of happy faces. The weather was perfect for it too, sunny but not too hot.

“We had good, strong competitions which is really good to see and a record number of entries in the livestock classes, meaning we had the most cattle, sheep, goats and pigs we’ve ever had at the show.”

In the Discover Farming marquee families learnt about the process of food production and how their food travels from farm to plate.

Tim Dommett, of the Melplash Agricultural Society, said: “We have everything from goat milking, to handling baby chicks, and grounding wheat to make pizza from scratch.

“It’s all very hands on and interactive and we’re just trying to educate kids as to where their food comes from.”

New attractions at the show this year included the Stampede Stunt Company’s horseback riding and the humorous Sheep Show which were both well received by audiences.

Rosie Sage and Dave Paull of Hurdlebrook Farm, Somerset, collaborated with Dorset Young Farmers to provide milking demonstrations with some of their best Guernsey cows.

Rosie said: “People have a lot of misconceptions about cows and where their milk comes from, for example a lot of people call the cows a ‘he’ and seem unaware of the difference between a bull and a cow.

“This provides an invaluable opportunity for the public to see milk coming from the cow, to touch the animal and realise where it comes from.”

When not marvelling at prize-winning vegetables and hedgerows, crowds were entertained by live performances from the Wyld Morris dancers, the St Swithun's Band, and Peter Maggs’ traditional Punch and Judy show.

Among those visiting the show was Sarah Thompson from Yeovil who said: "It is the first time we have been. We go to quite a few shows like this and I have to say we have been very impressed by this one."