FREQUENT downpours and ongoing foot and mouth restrictions failed to dampen spirits at Otley Show.

Up to 10,000 people braved the wet weather on Saturday for the welcome return of cattle, sheep and goats back at the show after a break of two years.

Although numbers were way down on the show's heyday, a new layout with cattle and sheep on the field instead of in buildings at the edge of the Bridge End site, and new attractions, including a rabbit show and coloured horses and ponies, the event was declared a great success.

Show secretary Janet Raw said: "It all went very well, the weather didn't dampen our spirits. We had about the same as last year, between eight to ten thousand.

"Everyone seemed to like the cattle marquee and the sheep on the field, it was like a true agricultural show.

"Everything went very smoothly and there were no major problems.

"The stewards and the volunteers worked very hard through torrential rain, it is a credit to them that the show went so well."

Back at the event after a break of 20 years were rabbits and also coloured horses and ponies.

"We had so many rabbits in a small space, they were very popular with children and families and are here to stay," said Mrs Raw.

One of the more unusual sights on the field were rare breed cattle, the striped belted Galloways.

"I think most people tend to think cattle are just black and white, it was nice to see the rare breeds," said Mrs Raw.

Farmer Robin Cowgill, in his first year as show president following the retirement of John Stoddart-Scott, said: "It all went very well. It was great to have cattle and sheep back after two years and we had a good entry considering the rules we had to abide with.

"Having the cattle in the marquee meant that people could see them better, George Rice, the cattle chairman, said how good it was. It was a little more expensive having the marquees, but we shall definitely do it again next year."

Mr Cowgill added: "Attendance was down a bit because of the weather, but a lot of people came with wellies. It was a bad day on Friday and that tends to put people off."

With Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) restrictions still in place following the foot and mouth epidemic of two years ago, livestock was separated at the event and the grand parade had to be split up. The rules also state that any animal at the show will not be allowed to leave its farm for six days - a regulation that is expected to be relaxed at the end of this month.

Mr Cowgill added: "It was a bit late for us this year, but hopefully next year numbers will be up again."

Chris Grange, of the Blue Barn pet supplies at Pool-in-Wharfedale, was at the show for the second year running.

Despite the rain, he thought the show was a success.

"We were right next to the cattle marquee and people were queuing up to get in. Even when it was raining there was a queue."

He said the Blue Barn, which sponsors the reserve show champion for poultry trophy, would definitely be going again next year.

"I couldn't believe how many types of hens there are and how tame they are, I used to think a hen was just a hen.

"We're committed now and will definitely be going again next year."

In the main arena, the Mount Grace Gun Dog Display Team put on a couple of displays while on the showfield there was a living history village by medieval group Tournee. Children were invited to hold weapons and to try on chain mail and to see traditional fighting and cooking methods.

The ever popular horse shoeing competition drew the crowds while John Lumsden of Tallons Owl and Hawk Rescue explained how children's favourite Harry Potter had lead to an increase in the number of people wanting owls as pets.

Rick Wilson of Otley said it was a shame about the rain but good to see cattle and sheep back.

"We made sure we came with wellies and coats and although it has rained, it's not put us off too much, you can always go into one of the tents.

"It was nice being able to get up so close to the cattle in the marquee, that was a really good idea. Otley Show is so much part of the town, we always try to get to it."

And Alison Greenbank from Ripley, at the event with her partner and two young children, said: "We came to the show because it is such a wonderful opportunity to get close to cattle and sheep after the countryside has had such a bad time with foot and mouth.

"We also like to see the hunt, the hounds and the horses are so beautiful and it would be a great shame to see them vanish from the countryside."