VISITORS and animals baked under scorching temperatures as the 147th Great Yorkshire Show got under way.

Children danced by the bandstand and cartwheeled across the grass, while others enjoyed a picnic or stretched out to soak up the sunshine.

Sun hats and sun glasses were out in force as visitors sipped cool drinks, ate strawberries and licked ice creams.

Meanwhile, in the cattle sheds, animals lay panting by fans as their owners poured water over them to keep them cool.

Adrian Johnson, from Yearsley, near Easingwold, who exhibited six cows in the show, said he wet their backs and put fans around them.

"We wash them every two to three hours and let the water evaporate off them," he said.

"It's important to stop them overheating because being dairy cows it could affect them producing milk.

"They carry a lot of weight around and start sweating easily."

In the food and flower halls, judges wandered between the exhibits sampling huge slabs of cheeses and examining stunning flower displays.

Barry Nelson, 53, of Carlton, near Selby, won supreme champion for his Bridge to the Future themed garden display.

"I wanted to portray what is going to happen between 2005 and 2055 with global warming, with more exotic plants."

Throughout the day, visitors watched horses parading in the main ring, a polo match, fashion show, film show and gundog, falconry and hounds displays.

Other entertainment included music from the Hands And Voices Choir, Noise Blasters Indian Drumming, and Casablanca Steps.

Rachel McAllister, 39, of Harrogate, visited the show with her husband, parents and three children.

"It's great, we're really enjoying it," she said.

"The band has been fantastic and the children have really enjoyed sitting in the sun and playing.

"We've been having lots to drink to keep cool but the weather has been great."

Pam and David Barker, of York, brought their grandsons Fynn, aged three, and Thomas, aged 20 months, to see the animals.

"It's been hectic but we're really enjoying it," said Pam, 55.

"The boys loved the tractors and they've seen some sheep and horses."

Sharon Burnley, 33, of Scarborough, visited the show with her husband, Simon, and 15-month-old son, Edward.

"It's our third year and we always have a good time.

"Edward loves cows so we're looking foward to showing him some today."

Updated: 09:20 Wednesday, July 13, 2005