Keighley Show last year was a massive success despite the scrapping of some classes due to continued foot and mouth restrictions.

Members of the agricultural society, which organises the annual showpiece, heard this week that the event had been among the best financially for around a decade.

The sheep, cattle and goat sections were shelved, but extra attractions were introduced at the Marley fields venue to compensate.

Jeremy Mackrell, who retired as show chairman at Wednesday's annual meeting, said: "We were somewhat concerned prior to last year's show because the 2001 event had been cancelled due to foot and mouth and we were still feeling the impact of the disease, but it turned out to be an excellent day.

"Despite rain around lunch time we got good numbers, and financially it was a better result than in 2000."

He hoped that with a recent further easing of post-foot and mouth restrictions, this year's show -- on September 6 -- would feature the full complement of sections and would be bigger and better than ever.

He added: "Last year any cloven-hooved animals brought to the show would have had to be kept in quarantine for 30 days prior to and after the event, but that has now been reduced to eight days. We felt the best option last year was to cancel those sections -- we did not want to put any of our local farmers at further risk from the effects of foot and mouth disease. But we are optimistic that this year it will be business as usual."

At this week's meeting, show stalwarts George and Gladys Emmott, who have been involved with the event since its foundation over 40 years ago, were made honorary life members.

Leonard Greaves was elected president, and Robert Whiteoak chairman. All other officers were re-elected.