SEVENTY-FOUR thousand people flocked to the biggest Sussex countryside event of the year.

The South of England Show got under way in unusual fashion on "Dress Up Thursday" when women put on their finery for the occasion.

The foxhounds wow the crowds at The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/1
The foxhounds wow the crowds at The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/1
CLEAR JUMP: Sam Hutton riding Olympia III in class 606, International Stairway
HENNED IN: John Bishop, Rod Padwick and Mary Cogram from the Poultry Display Society SL1106101/16SL1106101/16
WOOL WINNERS: A youngster displays his sheep SL1106101/15
A birds-eye view of the The South of England Showground at Ardingly SL1106101/6
Farmers parade their bulls in the main arena at The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/24
Farmers parade their bulls in the main arena at The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/24
Brenda Hide from Mayfield parades a prize winning bull in the main arena on the second day of The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/23
Brenda Hide from Mayfield parades a prize winning bull in the main arena on the second day of The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/23
Ryan Prater riding Whisker in class 606, International Stairway on the second day of The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/21
Nicola Osgood with Rumsden Eire, a champion junior Charolais bull, from Jarvis Brook at The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/13
Nicola Osgood with Rumsden Eire, a champion junior Charolais bull, from Jarvis Brook at The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/13
The South of England Show at the Ardingly showground. SL1106101/11
rggks100610a ks South of England Show. Seen here are 01,02-pigs,03-Anthony Kindred and Lisa Kindred, master bakers, making bread.04-Christopher Thomas with Indian Runner Ducks.05- 06 Jason and The Argonaut scultures. 07-Ben Lott-6 with Niall Griffin Operation Manager from Sussex Safer Roads. 07,08,09-Tony Sullivan,Tim Baker and Bob McClean from Bluebell Railway. 12,13,14 Flower tent and seen here examining his cactus is Tim Wilson.15-Barry Newman from national veg society, 18,19,20 is a demo by the Susse
BEST DRESSED: Dame Vera Lynn awards winners of the Concours D'Elegance rggks100610a ks

Gentlemen joined in the fun with sartorial elegance to the fore and Christopher Horner from Uckfield walked away with the title of Best Dressed Man.

New agriculture minister James Paice made the annual celebration one of his first public engagements, where he reassured farmers the new Government would be putting farming back on the menu as a major part of the UK's economic future.

He spoke about the importance of food labelling stating the country of origin, as well as the need to remove rules and regulations which were damaging to the success of Britain's agriculture.

William Goodwin, vice-chairman of the South of England Agricultural Society, said: "Mr Paice brought an upbeat tone to kick-start the 2010 show.

"He inspired the audience and received rapturous applause. His message was warmly received and the promise of a task force to sort out food regulations really lifted the mood of an industry which faces more than its fair share of red tape."

Mr Paice joined the Marquess of Abergavenny, the society's president, to officially open the show.

This year's theme, Year of the Bee, highlighted the plight facing the bee and its vital role in the eco-system.

The message was in evidence across the show from a four-foot- high hive in Pig Village to house young piglets, to the aptly named musical group Wildhoney.

There were also displays of live bee hives and bee products on many exhibits.

More than 1,500 horses took part in competitions over the weekend from tiny ponies to the majestic display of heavy horses.

Show society chairman Brian Williams said: "It is the classic rural icons which attract the biggest crowds.

"When something as quintessentially British as the daily cattle parade, or the hunt and their hounds, enters the main arena you can hear the crowd roar."

Newick man Paddy Cumberlege was rewarded for his tireless work on behalf of the South of England Agricultural Society. He was presented with the 2010 Fellowship Award of Honour in recognition of many years of unstinting support.

Next year the show will be staged on June 9-11.

For the full results visit www.seas.org.uk