THIS year’s Suffolk Show has been one of the best yet, according to one of its top bosses.

Christopher Bushby, executive director of the Suffolk Agricultural Association, said the hot weather had made for a superb celebration of everything that is great about the county.

This year is Mr Bushby’s 25th show - it would have been his 26th but the 2001 event was cancelled because of the foot and mouth crisis.

He began his involvement as showground manager before becoming executive director of the association in 1994.

“This year has been one of our best for many reasons,” he said. “In terms of atmosphere and quality it has been second to none.

“It’s great to see so many smiling faces and very pleasing to see so many young children and their families enjoying the show. We obviously have a serious agricultural and rural message to get across but the show is a celebration of the county and it is fantastic to see so many people enjoying it.”

Mr Bushby said the secret to the show’s success was that it was constantly adapting to mirror contemporary Suffolk life.

“The formula for the show has been very consistent for 179 years - all we have tried to do is introduce new concepts to reflect changes in society.

“For example the sports village was brought in a few years ago and that has been extremely popular. The food and drink experience, that’s an area which has developed as well, and that is a great success.”

Mr Bushby said he was looking forward to getting the ball rolling for next year’s show.

“We will be having talks with people today about the big plans for 2011 and the concepts we think the show should adopt,” he added.