The showground missed out on a drenching by a mere half a mile as a cloudburst came down just to the west of the village on Sunday afternoon, while show-goers basked in scorching temperatures.

Show chairman Charles Pinchbeck confirmed it was the best show attendance ever over the two days with well over the average 20,000 judging by gate receipts.

He told the Standard on Sunday: "It has gone fantastically well. Everybody put in so much effort last year to make the show work, it has been great to put a show on under normal conditions. We have finally got the weather we deserve."

Even when the weather has been "iffy" Mr Pinchbeck said people have still known Heckington is a great value day out and wanted to come.

He said it had been a tremendous achievement thanks to dozens of local volunteers who willingly swing into action to bring it all together each year.

Mr Pinchbeck cited highlight including new features of the Heritage Village making appearances in the main ring including the Vikings and the 95th Rifles from Napoleonic times doing battle and drill demonstrations, charging at the crowd and doing comedy displays of marksmanship.

The UK FMX motorcycle stunt team was a breath-taking first for the show with their display of trick riding jumps and somersaults drawing gasps and cheers.

New for this year was a children's scarecrow making competition entered by schools, pre-schools and youth groups, providing younger people an opportunity to join in and contribute.

The biggest crowd ever stayed to enjoy the Foss Dyke Band perform a firework concert on Saturday evening too. There was one minor injury from a faulty firework which was treated at the scene.

Mr Pinchbeck said there was still the ongoing issue of doubts surrounding the future of the show field as its owners ultimately wish to develop land around it. He said: "We did not know until four weeks ago that we had definitely got it. It is the most expensive showground rent in Lincolnshire. We don't know what is happening in the future."

But he said everything had gone smoothly, adding: "We have had champion cyclists and champion cattle. It is a demonstration of what the community of Heckington feels about the place and what they are proud of. We always come up with something fresh and new and better for the next year."