ORGANISERS of the popular Cleveland Show fear yesterday's wet weather and low attendance could mean it was the last one.

While families enjoyed the day, with plenty of undercover activities, general secretary Val Thomson said the rain had put many visitors off, with low gate entry.

Final entry figures are not yet known, but organisers said it was the third year the show had endured wet weather and lower than usual attendances.

Families enjoyed a gundog show and BMX displays in the main ring, while the usual classes for cattle, sheep, horses, horticulture and much more entertained visitors. 

The show’s volunteer organisers say rising costs, falling sponsorship and the weather have left the North East’s biggest agricultural show on the edge.

Without securing any sponsorship deals or financial support, this year's show, which is held at Stewart Park, will be the last.

The show was first held as the Stockton Show on the Recreation Ground on Durham Road in 1944 and was temporarily held at Ropner Park and Wynyard Hall before moving to Stewart Park in 1963.

Mrs Thomson's father Keith Beaumont was one of the show's original founders and she said it was particularly close to her heart to save the event in memory of her parents, once show director and trade stand manager.

The show’s general secretary, Val Thomson, whose farmer father Keith Beaumont was one of show’s original founders, said she’s also determined to save the show in memory of her parents, once show director and trade stand manager.

She attended her first Cleveland Show at the age of 10 months in 1955 and has been helping out since the age of five.

The event is run entirely by volunteers and does not receive any local authority funding, although Mrs Thomson said she was grateful to Middlesbrough Council for allowing the show to use Stewart Park each year.