PROBLEMS are a feature of all country shows, but the Cheshire faced one of the saddest in its long history this year.

The death of secretary David Broster took place just three weeks before the two-day event on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

David had held his post for the past 15 years of continuous expansion by the Cheshire, which is now the largest county show in the country, with massive entries for horses and dogs to join the traditional line up of cattle, sheep and goats.

His death at his desk at the age of 59 came just as the final preparations were in hand for this year.

Assistant secretary Christine Newton has been joined by volunteers from Cheshire Agricultural Society to complete the arrangements, and vice chairman Vic Croxson, who is principal at Reaseheath College, said on Tuesday that everyone wanted to make the show a success to honour David's memory.

'Everyone has rallied round wonderfully to deal with what could have been a very serious crisis,' said Mr Croxson.

'The final organisation has worked very well and we reckon this will be a show that David would have been proud of.'

He added that work on next year's show would have to start immediately after the present one. The society would be seeking a new executive director and 40 potential applicants have already asked for details of the post.