THE Alresford Agricultural Show may not have had go-karts in 1908, nor men with ukuleles playing Taylor Swift - but some things never change.

It is the most traditional of country shows, and besides the occasional corporate sponsor, Saturday's event looked just as it did in its first year 107 years ago.

Some 20,000 people were greeted on the Tichborne Estate by the usual army of livestock, from cattle and horses to sheep, goats, ferrets and exotic dogs.

The annual celebration of rural life was somewhat dampened by the absence of some farmers unable to harvest their sodden crops after the wettest August for 50 years.

"It does have an impact," said show secretary Val Watley. "It's the end of harvest normally, so they come and meet here, and it's a nice, relaxing day after all their hard work.

"I know others have said so-and-so's not coming because they haven't got their harvest finished yet."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Charlie McLean with his Charolais heifer, Innocence, from Mortimer's Farm

Nonetheless, children were left wide-eyed by the hundreds of stalls, shows, talks and refreshments on offer - and for dogs, it was the social event of the year.

New for 2015 were glass blowing, wok-fried ice cream and the 'Quack Pack': a brace of Indian runner ducks herded by border collies.

Also making their bow were players of the Alresford Ukulele Jam, inviting children to strum along to Combine Harvester and Taylor Swift's hit Shake It Off.

But it's the old favourites which drew the biggest crowds. The dog show, horse jumping and ferret racing were popular as ever, while queues rarely stopped for children's tree-climbing.

Alresford is one of few country shows which has adapted to health and safety rules to keep parking and a grand parade in the main arena.

For more pictures from the Alresford Show, pick up the Hampshire Chronicle on Thursday