The two-day event, organised by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, celebrated all that is great about rural life at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate on Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28.

Livestock classes had to be cancelled following the foot-and-mouth outbreak in the south of England earlier this year, which honorary show director Bill Cowling said had undoubtedly affected attendance. The gate figure for the two days was expected to be slightly down on last year's record-breaking total of 9,282.

But, he added, the society's remit was to promote every aspect of farming and agriculture, and that was what Countryside Live had done.

"We have had a great two days. When we were faced with having to cancel the livestock classes, we could have taken the decision to cancel the entire event, but we decided to go ahead, and wave the flag for the farming industry and rural life.

"It is vital, as the centre of agricultural excellence in the North of England, that we continue to support the countryside and provide a bridge between farmers and their customers, and we hope we will have the livestock back next year."

Attendance figures were expected to be about 1,500 less than last year. Mr Cowling continued: "We expected the numbers to be less, but the new elements, in particular the fashion show and the dog agility demonstrations have proved extremely popular."

Competitive classes attracted plenty of entries, with Doncaster beekeeper Alan Woodward taking the honours in the Honey Show's Yorkshire Herald Cup. There were also high-quality exhibits in the Knaresborough Horticultural Society Flower, Fruit and Vegetable Show – only the second time it had been held outside the town.

Winner of the Lishman Challenge Cup for best chrysanthemum exhibit was David Greaves of Knaresborough, while the Staveley Challenge Cup for best exhibit in vegetable classes was Peter Ridsdale of Kirkby Overblow, near Harrogate. William Barker of Great Broughton, Thirsk, was Reserve Champion.

In the poultry section, the championship went to Mrs Samantha Berry of Rectory Farm, of Thornton in Craven, Skipton with a female Birchen, whilst in the pigeons, Roy Sutcliffe of Keighley showed the Champion and Reserve Fancy Pigeon whilst Keith and Gill Robson of Darlington showed the Champion Fancy Flyer.

Country Cool, the fashion show held at Countryside Live for the first time, proved enormously popular, with crowds flocking to enjoy each of the three daily catwalk shows which were compèred by celebrity florist Carl Wilde.

Dog agility demonstrations by members – human and canine – of the Harrogate Agility Training Society were another new feature, again drawing plenty of interest as the dogs raced around the specially-designed obstacle course.

Elsewhere around the event, children enjoyed trying their hand at bread-making, thatching and colouring, while shoppers browsing the stalls for early Christmas presents were accompanied by a background of jazz music.