PRIZE-winning bulls, TV stars, a motorbike display team and lots of cheese jostled for visitors’ attention at a record-breaking Cheshire Show.

More than 80,000 people dodged the showers to sample the best local produce and celebrate a thriving farming community.

The sun broke through the clouds on the second day, shining down on the young riders competing in front of Grand National trainer, Jenny Pitman.

She judged the Lord Leverhulme Gold Cup, which was contested by riders aged 14-25.

She said: “It has been a sheer delight.

“My job at the show was to judge the performances but also to give encouragement. Things have gone well for some and not well for others and that's par for the course.”

Sheltered from the showers in the Roberts Bakery Food Hall, were ex-Corrie stars Sean Wilson and Charlie Lawson.

Charlie, who played Jim McDonald, now runs a farm shop in Prestbury, with Manchester United footballers among his customers.

He took time out from behind the counter to chat to visitors at the show about quality local produce, and his journey from Manchester’s famous cobbles to the Cheshire countryside.

He said: “It has been every bit as good as my last visit. I am delighted to support agriculture and the countryside in Cheshire.”

Fellow cast member and cheesemonger, Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt, lent his support to the central campaign of the show, to save Cheshire cheese.

He said: “It is always a fantastic atmosphere here. We have been coming for a few years and there is a genuine interest in cheese and local produce.”

Next door in the live food tent, demonstrating what can be done with Cheshire’s finest delicacies, was celebrity chef Nigel Howarth and an array of guests.

These included the Knutsford Fire and Rescue team who stepped up for a cookery challenge at the last minute.

Chief steward of the food tents Karol Bailey said: “We did not know until today that they were going to come along.

“But they know what the show is about and they wanted to help out.”

Karol has volunteered at the show for 26 years and is one of hundreds of volunteers who organise and run the event each year.

In 2009, the team received a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Away from the food tents, crowds were treated to an adrenalin-fuelled display by a motorbike stunt team.

Bolddog Lings were back by popular demand after 95% of last year’s show-goers voted to see them again.

Executive director of the Cheshire show Nigel Evans was delighted with the steadily increasing numbers at the North West’s largest agricultural show.

He said: “Numbers of exhibitors and visitors are swelling. It is a showcase for the county and I think people recognise that and are hugely supportive.”