Show manager Janet Bailey paid tribute to workers' dedication and visitors' patience, which prevented the event becoming a wash-out.

Mrs Bailey said: "Wednesday was very wet, but Thursday was really busy and I'm sure it was up on last year. Unfortunately, a lot of money had to be spent on the metal trackway and mountain of bark which we put down on Wednesday evening.

"If there was a medal for sterling effort and sticking to a task, it would have to go to the team out there towing people on and off the grounds and working tirelessly to make sure nobody got stuck," she added.

On-site parking problems caused long tailbacks around Bakewell on both days, which were compounded by a new police policy of refusing to marshall traffic at public events for free.

But visitors e njoyed a wide range of family fun, including new events such as The Knights of the Damned jousting team.

Mrs Bailey said her personal highlights were ex-Coronation Street star Sean Wilson's cheese stall, the traditional wool spinners and the dancing sheep show.

"Sean Wilson even won two awards, which is great for someone who's only been doing it for such a short time. He's also a really nice guy who interacted well with the crowd," she said.

"And everybody loved the sheep show which was popular with families with kids."