The day the countryside came to Dartmouth for the town's annual Christmas show 'special' starring a line up of cattle, sheep and festive birds has been hailed a major success.

Dartmouth's inner market place was packed with 40 pens of sheep and 80 geese, ducks and chicken – trussed and ready for the table – as the town's traditional fatstock show got under way.

The cattle were penned in the market car park square for the first time for years after being moved away from the new glass fronted market shops for health and safety reasons.

However, they were still led into the market itself for the judging watched by crowds of farmers and townspeople.

Auctioneer and fatstock show organiser Mike Pedrick said afterwards: 'There were more people there than I can ever remember seeing.'

He said the crowds even included pupils from two primary schools whose teachers had asked if they could attend the popular Christmas show.

The supreme champion in the cattle classes went to Roly the steer owned by farmers Donald and Geoffrey Tucker of Crabadon Cottage Farm, Diptford

After his victory, the champion Limousin cross was snapped up by Royal Castle Hotel owner Nigel Way for £1,850.

The second placed steer, which belonged to farmer Brian Trant, from Capton, was bought by the Sportmans Arms near Dartmouth.

Mr Pedrick said that organisers had been concerned because of weather forecasts predicting heavy rain and winds but the show got off lightly with just a few showers.

'It went very well,' added Mr Pedrick.

The supreme champion in the sheep classes was won by Darke and Lapthorne of Halwell Farm, South Pool near Kingsbridge.

Following the auction of animals and poultry the show raised £500 for charity which is to be shared out among the Rowcroft Hospice, Devon Air Ambulance Trust, Dartmouth Caring, the Salvation Army and the Dartmouth Hospital League of Friends.