THOUSANDS of farming fans soaked up the bank holiday sunshine at one of the biggest agricultural shows of the year.

Between 30,000 and 33,000 people lapped up the attractions, which ranged from dogs jumping through fire to fancy dress horses, at the Edenbridge and Oxted Show on Sunday and Monday.

HOW NOW BROWN COW: Freya Wey, 12, with bovine buddy
SKIRL OF THE PIPES: The Oatlands Park Pipe Band
IT'S HOT BACK THERE: Cheshire Dog Display team
OVER THEY GO: Myrtle and Molly clear a fence
FLOWERS OF FUN: Flower displays impressed the crowds at the gardening road show
BRUSH WITH SUCCESS: There's nothing like a good rubdown
MECHANICAL GENIUS: Bill Leach with his 1913 Amanco engine
CHEERS: Joe Farrington Gurney tries out his "Old Joes Cider"
MOST ELEGANT LADIES: Cross-dressers entertain the crowds
PERKY PIGLET: A young one shows off its tricks
VERY BUNNY INDEED : Harvey Barry, 4, with Mary Anne the continental giant rabbit.
LEAPS AND HOUNDS: The dogs are ready for the off

They were treated to the Cheshire dog team display as well as parade of antique carriages at Lingfield's Ardenrun Showgrounds in Tandridge Lane.

While the huge crowd did not eclipse the record-breaking 35,000 who attended last year's event, chairman Mike Wilkinson was delighted with the turnout.

He said: "We are really pleased as we seem to be getting better each year.

"The amount of work that is put in by the volunteers is superb. Everybody worked like devils to get everything ready in time.

"It was a little bit cold on the Sunday, which hit attendance, but that all changed when the sun came out on Monday."

Mr Wilkinson praised the gardening road show for entertaining the crowds and the quality of cattle brought in for the livestock competitions.

However, he did reveal that there had been a number of cases of petty theft, from stall signs to alpaca rugs.

The show also had a higher number of hand washing units set up after the outbreak of E.coli from nearby Godstone Farm last year.

Alison Seal, 40, of Mill Lane, Oxted, was taking her three-year-old daughter Abigail for her first ever agricultural show.

She said: "I was so pleased the sun came out as I was really nervous for Abigail as it was her first time here.

"I've been coming here for years and it just seems to get better and better."

More than 300 trade stalls were lined up alongside main rings, as well as a gun dog display.

Toby Nash, 28, of Slines Oak Road, Woldingham, said: "It's a pretty good day out really. The pigs are the best thing by a mile."