ORGANISERS are hoping to build on the success of reviving a traditional country show  in the grounds of a North-East visitor attraction.

The Durham County Agricultural Show, a popular event going back to 1841, hasn’t been organised since 2007 when it had to be cancelled due to policing costs.

But it was brought back to life today in the grounds at Ushaw historic house and gardens, near Durham, thanks to five enterprising women, who decided to organise it over “a glass of wine too many”.

The day concentrated on an equestrian theme but there are now hopes it can be developed into a full two-day agricultural show, with other livestock, next year.

Dawn Roe, of Burnopfield, who organised the show with Hilary McKenna, Danielle Cutter, Denise Quigley, and Laura Matthews, said: “We’re delighted with the way it’s gone, with a lovely atmosphere in beautiful surroundings. There have been lots of sleepless nights, but it’s all been worth it.

“Five of us were talking over a glass of wine too many one night about how much we missed Durham County Show so we decided to give it a go. It’s been a chance to showcase what a lovely place Ushaw is to more people and, hopefully, it will grow from here.

“For a comeback show, it’s been a great turnout and we definitely want to do it again. The aim this year was to start relatively small and keep it manageable, but we want to build on it next year with a full-scale agricultural show over two days.”

One of the show judges, Clare Willis-Burton, of Pentrefelin Stud, at Masham, in North Yorkshire, said: “The setting is fabulous and the champions have been really good quality. It’s nice to have the show back and I wish it well.”

Kirsten Tremewan, 11, of Bishop Auckland, who won first prize for Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Champion on Sharpham Master Bee, described it as “one of the best days of her life”.

Her mum Jennifer said: “It’s such a beautiful setting and has the potential to grow next year so we’ll definitely be back.”

There was a sweet touch when a foal named Que Sera Sera, in honour of Doris Day, was a winner in the Welsh Mountain Pony Brood Mare and Foal section.

Elaine Ferguson, from Whitley Bay, who owns the foal and its mother Talgarth Tia, said: “She was born around the time Doris Day died, and I love the song, so it seemed a nice thing to do.”

Show sponsors were: Pet N Pony, Bloomfield Horseboxes, Flexi-funding, NFU Insurance, Armstrong event stewarding and security, and the Matthews Family.