TRADITIONAL country skills and daredevil stunts wowed crowds at the South Suffolk Show.

As grey clouds cleared, visitors young and old poured into the showground at Ampton yesterday to enjoy one of the county’s most enduring days out with fairground rides, livestock classes and family fun.

Vintage tractors, tantalising food stalls, arts, crafts and displays tempted hundreds of visitors in the show’s 122nd year.

Geoff Bailes, the show secretary, said: “We hope everyone has a good, family day out. People are enjoying themselves and everyone is walking around with a smile on their face.”

The Flying Gunners, or the Royal Artillery Motorcycle Display Team as they are better known, drew cheers with breath-taking stunts as daring riders leapt over lines of cars as well as inch-perfect crossovers and a spectacular pyramid build on the move.

A parade of hounds by the Suffolk Hunt and a display by the Suffolk Gundog Club kept the spirit of the countryside alive at the annual event.

Mr Bailes said: “This is a traditional, agricultural show which we hope to keep alive.

“There is something here for everyone.”

Hawks, falcons, owls and eagles provided entertainment in the Countryside Ring, followed by the Terrier Racing Team.

Sophie Howard, 36, from Stowlangtoft, brought her two children Lottie, two, and George, three, to enjoy the sights and sounds of a county day out. “The children love the animals and machinery,” she said. “It is a great day out.”

Around 800 entrants took part in the show’s competitions, including elegant pleasure-driving traps, majestic Suffolk heavy horses and showjumping classes.

Prize cattle competed in the livestock shows, and there were classes for prestigious sheep and pig breeds as well as young handler competitions.

Mike Shave, 62, from Thurston, enjoyed watching the pleasure driving class with his two-year-old granddaughter, Edie. “This is a local event to support the community,” he said. “It is more low-key than the Suffolk Show and you can get closer to the animals.”

For full class results, see tomorrow’s EADT jo.thewlis@eadt.co.uk