THE annual celebration of all things Kentish attracted more than 100,000 visitors to the 2004 Kent County Show at Detling.

A stormy Saturday and drizzly Sunday morning meant that the number of visitors was down by about 1,000 people on 2003 when sunshine blessed all three days.

This year the show celebrated its 75th year and the guest of honour was the Duke of Kent. Accompanying the Duke on his tour of the many stands was the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett, Lord Kingsdown, and agricultural society chairman, Willie McKeever.

The Duke also opened the Kent Pavilion, a new 3,000 square metre glass building which adds considerably to the shows' event space.

As well as traditional cattle and horse events, the show also featured nearly 500 exhibitors.

Highlights included the McCabe Ford Williams Shetland Pony Grand National, the grand parade of livestock in the central Astor Ring, the NFU's National Cherry and Soft Fruit Show, sheep shearing demonstrations, a never-ending selection of Kent-grown or reared foods and the lively Horsemen of the Apocalypse display in the Falmouth Ring.

Historic vehicles, arts and crafts, charities, and hundreds of Kent businesses were also represented at the three-day event.

Kent Police were not kept idle, as at least 25 people were reported missing.

Several children had to be reunited with their parents.

The number could have been higher, had officers not been handing out wrist tags to parents with a space for contact numbers.

The number of thefts was low.

Thieves stole a day's takings from a marquee on Saturday afternoon and a wicker chair from a sales stand later that evening.

St John Ambulance Kent were about half as busy as usual as the damp weather kept heat strokes at bay.

Paramedics dealt with more than 140 headaches, stings, cuts and bruises but no serious incidents.

More than 200 babies received fresh nappies and food thanks to the baby room staffed by St John support member, Beryl Overy.