First ever Dorset Spring Show hailed a success by organisers

The new sister show of the Dorset County Show was held at Kingston Maurward on Saturday and Sunday.

The event featured lambs, axemen, beeswax rolling and terrier racing and was a chance for producers to set up stalls and sell local products.

Crowds enjoyed watching a sheep-shearing demonstration (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Thousands of people came through the gates, despite the cloudy weather to enjoy the activities.

Jason Cox, event organiser for the Dorset Spring Show said: "It has been very good, lots of people have come to support local traders.

James Cox said he hopes the show can become an annual fixture (Image: Tom Lawrence)

"This is a show that has been built by local contractors, from the electricity to the printing to the marquees, all local.

"We have kick-started spring not only for the traders, not just for the traders and the contractors but also as the first outside event for visitors.

"Wellies were needed but it dried up nicely.

"The location is stunning as well, everyone who has come in has said what an incredible location. The whole show has looked up towards the house, so wherever you are it looks very nice.

"The reaction has been very positive, it is nice to have a day out early in the season after a long, wet and very cold winter.

Asked if the event could become an annual fixture, Mr Cox said: "We hope so but very early to say, we hope that this could become a fixture every year."

Glen and Maisie travelled from Northampton to visit the show (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Glen and Maisie travelled from Northampton to visit the show.

Glen said: "Dorset is like a second home for us, we come to all of the shows here.

"I think this show has been a great edition; it is nice to come to an outside event at this time in the year.

"The weather has been nice and we always have great fun here."

Nic, Deb and Jenny from Bridport (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Nic, Deb and Jenny from Bridport came to the show with Spud the Jack Russell, who they said would "win" the terrier race, competing against other dogs to chase bait on a string across the field.

Spud the Jack Russell came second in the terrier race (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Spud finished in second place, but entertained crowds with his reluctance to let go of the bait after catching it.