Large crowds flocked to Thame Show as early morning drizzle gave way to sunshine. This year's show had a different emphasis with animal classes cancelled because of foot and mouth disease. But there were still plenty of attractions for spectators.

Preliminary judging of the Tradesman's TurnoutsShow secretary Mike Howes said he was delighted that early morning wet and grey skies had been followed by sunshine, bringing in crowds later in the day.

He said he expected the number of visitors to be lower than usual but added: "The number of people here enjoying themselves justifies our decision to keep the show open this year."

An 81-year-old man Worminghall man was declared countryman of the year at the show.

Denis Hopcroft gained the unanimous verdict from the show's committee for his lifetime of work on local farms. He was a long-serving member of the show's sheep committee and an expert on a wide variety of breeds.

Louise Simpson with Hotspur IIMr Howes said: "Mr Hopcroft typifies everything you think about in a genuine countryman - a lot of knowledge about his subjects and a wealth of local knowledge. He is a very worthy recipient of this award."

The organising committee decided that despite the foot and mouth disease crisis affecting the whole country, they would go ahead with the biggest one-day show in England. Show chairman John Ovens said: "It is a very different type of show this year without our core agricultural base of cattle, sheep and goats.

"But we have had everything else and a good centre ring display programme and people have appreciated that."

The only disappointment was that attendance was down by one-third to 15,000.

The show, in its second year with Oxfordshire county show status, successfully transformed itself from an agricultural show into a country show. Ron Lacey judges the racing pigeons

He said: "We are looking forward to next year when we have the animals back and the farmers who bring them. We are an agricultural show and intend to stay that way."

A variety of local colleges, charities, food and clothing companies supported this year's show.

A special parade showing the history of Thame Show since its inception with a ploughing match in 1855 was appreciated and local vintage tractor clubs put on their own ploughing display. There were also horse-drawn ploughs.

Long Crendon Morris Men danced during the day, Thame and District Classic Motor Club staged a parade, the combined band of the Dragoon Guards played during the afternoon and motorcycle stunt teams entertained the crowds.

The only casualty of the day was the terrier racing. Its organisers were marooned in Peterborough with a broken van.

Competitions for dogs, hawks, eagles, vultures, rabbits, caged birds, pigeons, fruit, vegetable and flowers also took place.