PENRITH Show disappeared under a sea of mud - but still managed to come up smiling today.

Torrential downpours left the picturesque Brougham Hall Farm showfield wallowing in several inches of mud.

Organisers were forced to send in tractors to help cars stranded in the show's car park.

But despite the stormy conditions thousands of visitors fought through the turnstiles to support a show that has grown from small beginnings to one of the largest stock shows in the north of England.

Show secretary Mandy Hitch said things could have been worse if it hadn't been for the sunny weather leading up to the show day.

"People were still queuing to come in in the afternoon thanks to a brief appearance by the sun."