Thousands of visitors flocked to Derbyshire's leading agricultural and horticultural event last Wednesday and Thursday.

And the affectionately named Little Royal was far from small, with a bumper programme of attractions to celebrate its 178th year.

"It is all about bringing town and country together," explained Show Manager Janet Bailey.

"Bakewell Show is a good, friendly, value for money day out for everybody. This is because we have tried to retain the tradition and links with the agricultural industry, but at the same time make the show attractive for everyone else.

She went on to say: "Bakewell Show's luck has changed. It has always been known as the show where you get wet; now it's the show where you get baked!"

Bakewell Show never stretches far from its traditional agricultural roots, and this year was no exception with the usual range of classes in livestock, equestrian sport, food, flowers, crafts and country pursuits, to name but a few.

In the Ayrshires section, farmer Peter Berresford, from Wheston, near Tideswell, won the Breed Champion for a fourth time in a row, followed by the Reserve Breed Champion.

And it was a similar story for little Alfie Berresford, aged five, in the Derbyshire and Ayrshire Calf Show, winning both Champion and Reserve Champion titles.

Peter said: "It was a very good show for us, no doubt the best we have ever done, although there weren't as many entries, probably because of bluetongue and tuberculosis."

In the Women's Institute tent, Flag WI took the Best in Show prize for a piece of patchwork produced by one of its members.

Anne Beckett and Lynda Breese, from Bamford WI, won first prize in the Home Economics class. Sparrowpit WI took home the Novice Cup with fourth place in the same category.

Barbara Barlow, Treasurer of the Derbyshire Federation of WIs, said: "We had lots of people in the WI tent.

"They have been really interested in all of the exhibits and we have received lots of good comments."

* The return of the eight-foot high robot 'Titan' added a touch of the 'wow factor', as did the brave boys and girls of the Solent Eagles motorcycle display team, who performed to packed audiences in the centre ring.