IT was not scheduled as a highlight, but there was little doubt the weather was the main talking point of this year's Three Counties Show.

Not only did it send down a lightening strike that came within 50ft of turning Prince Charles into the former heir to the throne, but also produced torrential rain that turned several areas of the 70-acre showsite into temporary lakes and caused the cancellation of Saturday night's Legends pop concert and Sunday's grass track racing.

"I don't think we have ever experienced such heavy rain at an event here," said show press officer Sharon Gilbert.

"But it is tribute to the efforts of all the staff the show went on with the minimum of disruption considering the conditions."

More than 500 bales of straw were put down in an effort to mop up the water and make grass areas useable, but it was impossible to prepare the course for the grass track racing.

"Unfortunately we were forced to cancel, because the circuit could not be prepared to health and safety standards," Ms Gilbert added.

"Likewise the Legends performance could not go ahead. When we announced the cancellation, the showground was bathed in sunshine, but the weather forecast proved accurate and at the scheduled time of the concert there was a terrific storm, so at least we made the right decision.

"The weather will undoubtedly have hit the attendance figures and I doubt very much whether we will make the 100,000 mark.

"We were down on the usual figures for both the first two days, although the crowds were better on Sunday and there were queues to get in at the public entrances. But it was probably too late for us to get near our target."

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