SUFFOLK Show organisers are celebrating what they believe may have been the highest attendance at the event for five years. The show's honorary director John Wall said there were 52,575 visitors on Wednesday, with yesterday's estimated attendance taking it up to 90,000 across the two days.

SUFFOLK Show organisers are celebrating what they believe may have been the highest attendance at the event for five years.

The show's honorary director John Wall said there were 52,575 visitors on Wednesday, with yesterday's estimated attendance taking it up to 90,000 across the two days.

If the two days do top 90,000, that compares well with the last five years which saw 83,491 attend during 2002, 78,949 in 2000, 80,686 in 1999, just over 80,000 in 1998 and 92,701 in 1997.

Mr Wall said: "Traffic has flown in well, we have had no problems at all. The pay entrances worked extremely well. People have supported us, there has been a great atmosphere out there.

"I am very pleased it has gone so well, I'm almost speechless. The showground has been almost full to capacity, we could not have coped with many more people.

"I believe we had the balance about right, we had the agriculture side at our base, which always stands us in good stead and that is where we always start from. The sun helped enormously.''

Mr Wall said that for next year's show they would not change the format too much, just make minor alterations.

Mr Wall also revealed that the Suffolk Agricultural Association found a sponsor within a day to allow Ipswich Town to exhibit at the showground, despite the club's financial problems which took it in to administration.

The sponsor has not been revealed, but Mr Wall said through the years more visitors have flocked to the show because of the club's presence and the association was standing by Town in the club's time of need.

Mr Wall said: "When they went in to administration a representative said they had no authority to come. Within 24 hours a sponsor to support them was found and they are here."