THE livestock may have been sorely missed - but this year's Malton Show was still a resounding success, according to organisers.

The foot and mouth restrictions which prevented last year's show going ahead were still a vivid memory, but visitors and organisers were determined to put that all behind them.

Despite a few showers of rain through the day, thousands of people crowded on to Scampston Park to take part in and enjoy the 116th Malton Show.

"This is my first full show - because last year's was cancelled - so it doesn't seem that strange to me not to have livestock here," said show secretary Jenny Bird.

"There is definitely a big gap because they are not here and I'm sure a lot of people are missing them.

"Hopefully, though they will be back next year and we'll have a proper show again," said Jenny.

"We have more trade stands here than ever this year and the steam engine and vintage car section is much larger than usual.

"The hope we had was that these and the other sections, including the horses and the dogs, would still pull the crowds. It clearly has because we have had a very high number of visitors."

Show committee member Mike Knaggs, who was presented with a life-time membership for 42 years' service to the show, said he was pleased with the turnout both of visitors and exhibitors.

"We have not had as many entrants for some of the horse sections, but overall it has been a very successful day", he said.

"We have had a very high number of entries for the heavy horse turnout section.

"Really though, everyone is missing the livestock a great deal. It just isn't the same without it, but everyone is praying that next year we'll be back to normal."

Paul Bean, organiser of the steam engine and vintage car section, said the turnout of exhibitors was impressive.

"With no livestock we have been asked to make up a bigger display this year to make up for what's missing," he said.

"The exhibitors have really done us proud and there are a lot of interesting machines around.

"I think the centrepiece of the show was MEP Robert Goodwill's steam engine. It's an amazing working machine and a lot of people have shown an interest in it."

Updated: 12:20 Friday, June 28, 2002