IT was 'a grand day out' for the thousands of visitors who flocked through the gates of the 109th Liskeard Show at Merrymeet on Saturday.

The warm sunny day was a welcome relief after the wet summer which had led to the cancellation of the show in July.

Cattle and sheep were lined up in their stalls under umbrellas and there were record ice-cream sales.

Liskeard Show was the only one to go ahead in East Cornwall this year. Launceston and Camelford Shows also cancelled because of bad weather, but decided not to reschedule.

The organising committee's confidence in deciding to go ahead in September was well rewarded with the sun, and the support of both the exhibitors and the numbers going through the gate, totalling more than 8,000.

Everyone enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and main ring events of the day, which included some spectacular bare-back riding from Galloping Acrobatics, and a return visit from the Arrow Barrow Display Team, accompanied by the singing of the Land Army Girls.

Then there was the music, the mini fairground and, above all, the animals, with horse competitions lasting all day, donkey racing, shire horses, a dog show, falconry, poultry, and the ever-popular pets corner.

There were many stalls and agricultural displays around the ground, with the main marquees housing the best of Cornish food, mostly from the local area, and domestic competitions.

Winners of the WI Co-operative Competition were Duloe, who were just half a point ahead of the runners up, Downderry and Seaton.

There were some sentiments expressed that the Liskeard Show should move to September on a permanent basis.

Show secretary Pauline Ward said the date for next year's show would be set at the association's next meeting and the success of September would be discussed.

President Ruth Sargent, who has been involved with the show over many years in the domestic section, said it gave her great pleasure to declare the show open, especially as the new date had coincided with her birthday.

'This is a wonderful day and I want to thank everyone who has volunteered to make it possible,' she said.

Star of the show in livestock terms was Oxcroft Elmo, a magnificent British Blue who was judged as the supreme champion. The three-year-old, which had previously won a second in his class at the Devon County Show, is owned by Ted and Christine Haste who founded Stoneleigh Blues in Shebbear, in 1983.

The Haste family were presented with the Duke of Windsor's Grand Challenge Cup by the show president, and in addition Elmo will have his portrait painted by well-known Liskeard artist Nicky Harwood, known as The Cow Lady.

Reserve and dairy champion was the Ayrshire Lyner Festival, owned by AR and DL Walters of North Hill, and the best local animal in the beef classes was won by show stalwarts, the father and son partnership of Mervyn and Richard Rowe of Tregondale, Menheniot with their South Devon.

Champion sheep was a Beltex owned by Judith Lapthorne of Kingsbridge.