Meteorologists blamed hurricane Alex, but whatever it was relentless rain conspired against the Lunesdale Show bringing the big date on the agricultural calendar to a muddy end.

The storm, which spun off North Carolina and dropped by at Kirkby Lonsdale on Tuesday, saw one of the worst days in the show's history as the grand parade, show jumping, vintage vehicle display and even the young farmers' dance became casualties of the weather.

As mud-mired cars and trailers were pulled by tractor from the sodden showfield, president of the Lunesdale Show Canon Graham Betteridge, the rector of Kirkby Lonsdale, applauded hardy showgoers.

"This is the first time in 150 years they have had a pastor as president - in view of the weather I don't they will risk it again," he laughed. "I'm very impressed with the unstinting effort that people have put in on what has been an incredibly wet day - even though we are down on numbers people have been so cheerful."

He added: "Today here I see shoots of new hope in diversification - mutual support and friendly rivalry, branching out to survive and most importantly form a link with the urban mind so we go more than half way to meet tourists and incomers."

Sweet smells drifted through the drizzle from the food hall where local producers had set up stall while welly-wearing visitors headed under canvas to the handiwork in the craft tent and the pampered pooches in the dog tent.

Over at the sheep pens, Whittington farmer James Airey celebrated as his two-year-old Suffolk gimmer shearling took the title of supreme sheep champion.

"We have won before but it's a few years since we've had overall champion - so we're very happy," he said clutching his trophy.

Winner of the junior cows class was Ingleview Buttergirl owned by show regular and previous winner Elaine Butterfield.

Across at the showjumping there was disappointment as the event was cancelled. Helen Storey, who had travelled to the show from Canonbie, said: "When we left this morning we thought it would have gone ahead but it's not the show's fault, we understand them having to call it off because it would be too dangerous to carry on."

Despite the weather some visitors had travelled from foreign parts including Italy to attend the show.

Kate Armstrong who was visiting the show with her family from Scotland laughed: "Once you've got your wellies and waterproofs on you don't really care about the rain."

Report by Lisa Frascarelli and Paul Duncan.

Photographs by Steve Barber.

Results by Eva Brennand and Dan Colebourn.