THE Rusland Valley Horticultural Show has only ever been stopped because of world wars or foot and mouth disease outbreaks, so torrential rains and strong winds were not going to get in the way of this year's event.

With sports from fell races to track events, as well as vast amounts of prize-winning vegetables, plants, and crafts, the annual show offers a wide range of attractions to all visitors.

Hundreds attended Whitestock Meadow on Saturday despite the horrendous conditions, with society secretary Antony Meanwell declaring the show must go on.

"We always have a show irrespective of the weather," he said.

"The three main things are the horticulture, the sports, and the crafts. These are all mainly local people that enter to win, and we get a whole range of runners from toddlers to I think the oldest is 86.

"We then get about 140 people enter about 1000 different entries and it's all lovely and colourful."

Rusland show veteran Gordon Wilkinson has been attending the event since 1951, serving 36 of those years as society chairman.

The 86-year-old Rusland local said: "It's a good local event and it draws people together every year – families and friends. We all run our own marquees, when I started we only had two marquees but we've kept growing it and getting more and more."

It is not just the locals that gather, with many people coming from different parts of the country to enjoy the show.

Edwina Abbott was visiting Rusland for the day with her family from St Helens. She said: "We are regular visitors up here and we like supporting little events so we thought we would come here. There's a mixture of everything that people have put a lot of effort in to.There's a great variety of stalls and exhibits.

"The standard is very good, it's set out brilliantly. It's just a shame about the weather but everyone seems to be making the most of it."