They are hoping that the weather is kinder for next year's event after the heavens opened on this years and it rained from morning to afternoon.

The day, organised by Malton Agricultural Society, attracted a whole host of stalls and exhibitors, with plenty to see– as long as you stayed under the cover of an umbrella.

Concern grew in the run up to the day, with the forecast given as overcast and rainy.

Several stall holders and exhibitors contacted the show committee the evening before to check that the show was still going to go ahead.

On the day showgoers bravely battled against the elements and made sure they saw as much as they could, with the majority of those events timetabled for the day going ahead and on schedule.

One victim of the downpour was the grand parade, which was due to be held in the main ring at 2.30pm.

After speaking to the livestock holders the decision was taken to cancel it, as farmers were concerned about the comfort of their animals, many of which live in shelters and are not used to being in cold and wet conditions.

"It's was not as damp as it was the first year we had it at Scampston – that was horrendous.

"It's a great shame about the weather and after all the effort that's gone into it, but it's a one-day show.

"It's very disappointing," said chairman of 14 years Ian Hamilton.

Those with livestock and horses also grew worried that their wagons, horseboxes and trailers could become stuck as wheels failed to get a grip on the land.

Several were unable to move and so the help of a tractor was enlisted to pull them free.

Ian, who retired five-years-ago, has attended the show for 36 years and became chairman after he left the position of Malton's NFU chairman.

He said: "We had to pull a few out with a tractor, not because of mud or that they had sunk.

"This is a good field, but they were just greased because of the grass and couldn't get a grip."

Entries to the classes in the livestock sections were down, while those for all other classes equalled the number of those who entered last year.

However the number of people through the gates, manned by local Lion club members, was down.

More than 12,000 attended last year, which was almost halved this year because of the poor weather.

The show committee believe that the money taken for the entry fees is therefore down by £5,500 on last year's takings.

Additional attraction Land of the Prince Bishops Falconry also gave the audience at the sides of the main ring something new to see, with plans to bring back the team next year.