Keighley Show bosses have hailed Saturday’s event a success.

Chairman William Mitchell had appealed for public support after the disappointment of last year, when the event was cancelled due to the saturated state of the showground following the wettest summer for years.

“We don’t know exact figures but there seemed to be a good number of people there,” said Mr Mitchell, 41, of Grange Farm, Oakworth. “We were lucky with the weather, considering how wet it was the previous day when we were setting up.

“There was plenty going on across the showground and a good variety of things. I was very pleased with how it went.”

Mr Mitchell, who is in his third year as chairman, said the show was still suffering a knock-on effect financially from the cancellation of last year’s event.

He added that the situation would be discussed at a “debriefing” meeting. Show secretary Katrina Thackray said she had received favourable feedback from the public, exhibitors and traders on Saturday.

“I got extremely positive comments – it was a good day,” she said. “Entries were around 3,000 and pre-event ticket sales went very well – Sainsbury’s sold its allocation and tickets were also available from the civic centre and online for the first time.”

The show, the 56th, featured more than 500 classes. Traditional agriculture-themed sections included tractors, cattle, sheep, pygmy goats and horses, plus show jumping.

But there was a huge range of other classes, from horticulture and handicrafts to ferrets.

In the handicraft and domestic section, entries were up on previous years and standards were high. “Once again Oakbank School had many sewing items exhibited and it is wonderful that the young ones are getting involved,” said section secretary Karen Walbank. “We are very grateful to the members of staff that arrange this for us.”

The floral displays in the marquee were prepared for the first time by Steeton Flower Club. At the end of the day the flowers were auctioned off, with proceeds helping to cover initial costs. The line-up of attractions at the showfield also included a chainsaw carver, birds of prey, alpacas, terrier racing, a theatre group, Haworth Band, children’s rides and games, a dog show, numerous stalls by charities and organisations, and trade stands.

Show president this year was Jean Harker, a stalwart of the event whose family is also strongly linked. Her late husband, Edgar, a farmer, was a former president and served as show manager for many years.

Mrs Harker succeeded her mother-in-law as secretary of the handicraft and domestic section in 1970, and held the post until 2009, when Karen – who is her youngest daughter – took over! Keighley Bus Museum Trust once again provided a free bus service linking town centre locations and the showground.

And there was a free minibus transfer, courtesy of Leeds City College Keighley Campus, between the main gates and the show area.