The director of the Suffolk Show has hailed the success of this year’s spectacle as the curtains closed on Trinity Park yesterday.

Bill Baker, honorary show director, said he had been left “staggered” and “thrilled to bits” by the reaction to the two-day event.

Prince Harry’s show-stopping appearance drew in large crowds with fans - from toddlers to grandparents – keen to catch a glimpse of the fourth-in-line to the throne.

“You could sense the anticipation before Prince Harry’s arrival,” Mr Baker said.

“We had to keep the programme to ourselves for security reasons but the crowds were desperate to see him. The children that he presented the award to for farming – you could see the joy, tears and pride their parents had because of their achievement. When the children started the project never in their wildest dreams had any idea that Harry would be presenting the award.”

Walking round the large site populated with everything great about the county it became clear everybody’s interests were likely to be catered for.

Traders, shoppers, businessmen, wildlife enthusiasts, farmers, sports fanatics, food lovers - the list was almost endless of the type of people having a good time at the show.

“I think that the people of Suffolk are what make the Suffolk Show,” Mr Baker added.

“We are exceedingly fortunate to have very loyal and interested people who come here - it’s the crowds that make it. We set our stall out to be a serious agricultural show but at the same time want to give everyone from the county something they will enjoy.”

Some families were taking their children to their first Suffolk Show, for some it was another enjoyable year at the familiar surroundings of the park, near Ipswich.

The sheer variety of activities and attractions on offer included quirky features like the dancing Sheep Show and the ferocious Tyrannosaurus-Rex stalking the grounds.

Mr Baker said: “I think we can genuinely say that there’s things here to fill two days and more – that’s what’s great about the Suffolk Show.

“I believe it’s been a staggering day – coming to the end of the afternoon and there were still thousands of people spread out across the show who were enjoying the exhibitions, doing last minute shopping – they were in no hurry to head home at all.”

Mr Baker said that two major changes this year - dogs being allowed and under 14s getting in for free – had been “incredibly well received”.

Although he is allowing himself a couple of days off, the farmer from Elmswell, is already planning next year’s event, with initial proposals already two months in the making.