This year's Devon County Show proved popular as ever, with thousands of people flocking to the showground at Westpoint in Clyst St Mary, Exeter.

Figures are still being calculated, but early indications are that they exceeded the numbers that attended in 2018.

The Show this year was so big and had so many colourful distractions that it was hard not to get lost or diverted on the way to an event. With separate areas for different livestock and a plethora of entertaining stands, stalls and events it was difficult to feel that you had seen it all.

Across the showground, many farmers were celebrating victories for their livestock. Overall winner in the beef arena was Foxhillfarm Naomi from Michael and Melanie Alford of Cullompton, Devon.

Overall native breed champion was a Devon heifer, Stonegrove Snowdrop 26, owned by Richard Dorrell. The dairy section was won by an Ayrshire sixth calver, Gargus Jemima 3, from Tri-Star Genetics, Axminster, Devon.

Pig inter-breed winner went to Gussie Harmer from Lewes, East Sussex, with a Welsh gilt, Offham Teresa 32.

Champion inter-breed sheep was two-year-old Charolais ram Ffrwd Samson, shown by Gerald Burrough from Honiton, Devon.

Alongside the champions, there were many livestock on display for the public to admire. Proving a popular attraction were the rare breed Mangalitza Pigs, who made their cameo appearance.

Mango, a Mangalitza, and her litter of nine piglets, took centre stage in the outdoor pig feature next to the pig showing rings for the duration of the show, receiving plenty of affectionate oohs and ahhs.

Also receiving a lot of attention were the bronze turkeys in the poultry section. These magnificent birds elicited an excited response from many a child passing through.

Many fancy pigeons were on display, including over 350 of the UK’s most unusual-looking varieties, but the Jacobins stole the show and were constantly surrounded by school groups and enthusiastic admirers.

In the main arena the Bolddog Lings Motorbike Stunt Display Team had children screaming in delight, whilst the Shetland Pony Performance Team produced the same response in the adult onlookers.

Dogs were centre stage this year, with agility displays, Crufts qualifications and even a pooch pamper parlour where doggy visitors to the Show could have drop in makeovers.

Against a backdrop of cheering, admiring gazes and livestock noises, the pigs slept on.

New Show manager, Sam Mackenzie-Green, reflected on her first show, saying: "It’s been a fantastic experience, driven by an incredible team of dedicated people who have worked tirelessly to put on this vast spectacle.

"We were fortunate enough to go into this show on a hugely positive note - with the most trade stands booking that we have had in many years, as well as advance ticket sales up by ten per cent on last year.

"The weather was kind to us. A few showers on the Friday but Saturday offered perfect show weather, warm and dry but not too hot. Early indications suggest that numbers are up on last year but we will need to have this verified once all the sales information has been returned from our retail partners.

"It’s a positive note on which to end 2019 and a great way to go into 2020, to which we are already looking forward. Next year is our 125th year as a show and we have a number of ideas up our sleeve to celebrate this milestone which will be revealed in due course."