Muddy car parks at the Kent County Show. Picture: Ruth Cuerden

County Show ticketholders who missed out on the event because of heavy rain will not be given refunds - but tickets for next year.

Thousands of visitors were turned away when muddy conditions forced organisers to close public car parks on all three days of the event.

Attendance was down by 17,000 on last year, with some traders complaining about poor takings and a few threatening never to return.

Event bosses today said people who booked tickets, but did not make it to the Kent Showground, will be offered equivalent tickets for the 2013 show.

They are being urged to send this year’s tickets to the Showground office, in Detling, with a covering letter.

It comes after organisers revealed today they expect losses of an estimated £300,000 after the washout weekend.

The annual event was expected to attract 80,000 visitors this year, but attendance was actually only around 50,000 people.

Bosses said they expect six-figure losses after heavy rain turned car park approaches into quagmires.

Muddy conditions forced the Kent County Show to close its gates for the first time in 83 years

However, they argued they did the best they could in the circumstances and at least kept the show going, which similar shows elsewhere in the country did not manage.

George Jessel, chairman of the Kent County Agricultural Society, which organises the event, said: "It’s been a massive challenge to keep the show open and we are grateful to all those who were able to attend and support us.

"Our staff and volunteers have been magnificent in coping with the difficult conditions and many unexpected incidents; I’d like to thank them wholeheartedly.

"We know that many people would have been disappointed not to be able to enter the show, and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience but public safety was of paramount importance. The safety precautions taken by the society ensured the show passed without any serious incidents."

Stallholders and traders had been hoping visitors would turn out in their droves at the weekend after the gates had to be closed for the first time in 83 years on Friday morning.

Heavy downpours caused conditions in the car parks to deteriorate, leading to safety concerns.

Emergency work on the Detling site saw hundreds of tonnes of extra bark chippings and aggregate laid around the car parks and paths, allowing the car parks to open on Saturday.

Cars parked outside the Kent Showground after car parks were closed during the County Show. Picture: Trevor Sturgess

But, within hours of opening and after more overnight rain, organisers made the decision to close car parks again for health and safety reasons.

The same decision was made on Sunday at 10.15am - leaving thousands of people struggling to find alternative transport.

Only the members' car parks remained open and the show closed early - 4pm instead of 6pm.

Kent Showground executive manager Roger Moore said: "Visitors who did make it to the show were determined to have a good time despite the weather and ground conditions. Sunday was the best weather-wise and attracted the largest crowds.

"While the show stayed open, we had to close various sections of the car parks on each day to ensure public safety. Unfortunately, this prevented some visitors from attending. However, many people did use public transport or made other travel arrangements."

The annual spectacular - which celebrates all things Kentish, from mouth-watering food to prize-winning livestock - normally attracts 80,000 visitors.

Organisers of the show had been hoping for record numbers this year.

The showground has several indoor areas, including livestock judging and the Kent Pavilion, where there will be an exhibition of art dedicated to the Queen.

This year’s show included motorcycle display teams and arena events; a Spitfire flypast and floral displays; Kent Young Farmers and birds of prey, along with hundreds of stalls.