THOUSANDS of people descended upon the Somerley estate near Ringwood on Saturday in a show to celebrate the countryside.

Ellingham and Ringwood Agricultural Show was packed with performances from show ponies and shire horses to a scarecrow competition and show jumping.

More than 150 traders were selling everything from garden furniture to food.

And an exhibition of classic cars and vintage farm machinery recalled bygone days, while green-fingered visitors showed off their homemade produce in the horticultural marquee.

Those who preferred to participate were invited to take part in a fishing competition on the River Avon, try their hand at archery and meet baby farm animals at the petting zoo.

Michael Lingam-Willgoss of the event said: "We have had a tremendous day. The weather has been beautiful and thousands of people have visited.

"Everyone tells us this is their favourite show of its type.

"We keep it pretty much the same each year - the show is for the whole family and it is about tradition and being in the country."

But the real aim of the show is to raise funds for charity.

Mr Lingam Willgoss said: "The bottom line is that at the end of the day, when everybody has gone home tired and happy, we have a lot of money for our charities."

Organisers aim to split the money between a number of good causes, including local and national charities.

And a number of bursaries are also made available for agricultural students.