THE Great Yorkshire Show, which basked in sunshine for all three days this week, saw the most visitors through the gates since 1979.

The final figure of 127,152 was fourth highest figure in the show's 145-year history.

Nigel Pulling, Yorkshire Agricultural Society chief executive, said: "Last year we had an excellent attendance figure of 125,793, and this year's numbers are a strong indication that the recovery of the trauma of foot and mouth is well under way."

Honorary show director Christopher Hall said: "It has been one of the most successful shows in recent years, particularly as on the Wednesday there was probably the greatest number of people through the gates in the history of the show.

"The quality of livestock and horses has been excellent.

"Obviously having this huge quantity of people puts great strain on the traffic network and we do thank our visitors for being so good natured, while we continue to look at new ways of coping with the situation.

"But in a way we are victims of our own success, and the mere fact of this shows that it has been a hugely successful show."

In response to claims about bad behaviour by some showgoers, Mr Pulling said he was extremely concerned about the reports and wanted to know more about them.

He urged those affected to write to show organisers so they could hold an investigation.

Updated: 11:18 Friday, July 11, 2003