The venue might have changed but the Bingley Show carried on regardless with crowds flocking to it in their thousands.

And the early signs were that the public's enthusiasm for it was as great as ever despite all the controversy over the move from Myrtle Park to the Bradford & Bingley Sports Club in Wagon Lane.

For the first time in over 100 years one of the biggest agricultural shows in the country had changed its venue, but apart from some teething problems the show seemed to be operating reasonably smoothly.

And organisers were already talking of a permanent move to Wagon Lane as they declared it a success as even the weather behaved itself impeccably with not a spot of rain.

Vice-chairman Jim Hinchliffe said: "As things stand we hope to be back. We have had a great deal of help from the club and we hope it will be a permanent site for the show.

"We have spent several thousand pounds here, and as much as we like the park, the management here would like to have us back and we share their wishes."

Mr Hinchliffe had arrived on one of the special free buses laid on to help people reach the showground, and found them working at full stretch to carry the crowds.

"Of course there have been one or two snags but we expected that there would be. After all, this is a completely new venture for us.

"But the number of trade stands is up and four or five of the animal sections are also up, as is sponsorship, so that is not a bad start.

"We have had some problems with parking and with people being unfamiliar with the venue but it is not surprising given that we had been at the park for such a long time."

Cliff Dennis, general manager of the sports club, said he was pleased with how the day had gone.

"This is the first time it has been held here but we are hoping it will be the first of many.

"But we will have to wait for the response from the general public, the show committee, exhibitors and ourselves.

"Obviously there have been some teething problems. You can't put on a show this size at a new venue without any difficulties. But overall there seems to be a lot of people here and it seems to be a success though it is still early days.

"We will have to look at how we do financially. We pride ourselves on being a community-based sports club and this is another way of working with the community.

"We will be having a debriefing session shortly afterwards and we will take it from there. Hopefully it will be the start of a long association."

Pauline Wood, president of the Bingley Chamber of Trade, said she was concerned at the effect of holding the show out of the town centre.

"I find it sad that the town centre was extremely quiet at midday today and I do feel that a lot of traders have missed out.

"While I wish Bingley Show every success it is a shame that they have missed out on the additional business.

"When the show is held at Myrtle Park, Bingley is humming. However, if it is going to be continued to be held here then it is just something we will have to get used to."