Sunshine brings out the crowds and event organisers are hoping for a repeat of the success today.

Organisers of the Devon County Show are celebrating after what many veterans of the event are saying is one of the best first days ever.

A combination of bright sunshine and an early finish to silage making, plus the prospect of a great countryside day out for all the family, brought huge crowds flocking to the Westpoint showground in greater numbers than ever.

Show secretary Ollie Allen said: “It’s been a brilliant first day! For the first time since we moved to Westpoint we have had to open up our overflow car parks on a Thursday.

“Trade stand holders have been doing a roaring trade, livestock looks superb in the sunshine and I have never known a happier vibe across the entire showground.”

Show organisers are looking forward, if it is possible, to an even better day today (Friday) when they will be welcoming BBC1’s Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, Britain’s most famous farmer, along with fellow celebrities Kirstie Allsopp and Aled Jones, as well as National Farmers Union chairman Peter Kendall.

On last Sunday night’s Songs of Praise, Mr Jones sang a song about love and death that Midweek Herald readers have described as one of the most beautiful and enchanting they have ever heard on television.