Princess Anne: Cornish food fan

Organisers say visitor numbers are on a par with last year, when it was held during half term week.

Official figures will be released in the next few days.

And farmers at the show say that morale is improving after the problems caused by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Sheep return

Many are reporting a growing interest in locally produced food and say their future is now in the hands of the consumers.

The guest of honour at the Wadebridge showground was Princess Anne who toured the show with the Bishop of Truro, the Right Reverend Bill Ind on Thursday.

One of the Princess Royal's stops was at the food hall where she revealed her liking for traditional Cornish sausages.

Sheep and other cloven-hooved animals are returning for the first time since foot and mouth.

Even though the epidemic had, in effect, passed when last year's show was held, restrictions were still in place.

For three days each year the showground at Wadebridge is transformed into a living town, bustling with life, energy, agriculture, entertainment and trade.

Huge variety

More than 110,000 people visit the show each year and recent improvements include new toilets and showers, better drainage, improved buildings, roadways and hard standings.

New fencing has also been installed around the show rings and a hop-on, hop-off bus service tours the site.