THE Thame Show is to return this summer after last year’s event was cancelled following years of loss-making.

Billed as England’s greatest agricultural show with a history stretching back more than 120 years , the event will return to the showground in Kingsey Road on Saturday, July 13.

Organisers axed last year’s show after it lost about £116,000 in the previous four years.

They also feared ticket sales would be hit by a clash with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the London 2012 Olympics.

Mayor of Thame Nigel Champken-Woods said: “Thousands of people go along and I have only ever missed one in the 26 years I have lived here. I’m a member of the Thame and District Classic Car Club and we always have a stand there. It’s a super event.”

Since 2006, the event has been known as the Oxfordshire County and Thame Show.

It lost £40,000 in 2008 and 2009 but posted a £4,000 profit in 2010 after moving to a July Saturday instead of a September Thursday. Yet in 2011 it once again lost £40,000.

The biggest change this year will be a food and drink village featuring local producers, including county breweries.

The event will feature competitions for cattle, sheep, horses and donkeys along with displays of rabbits and birds.

There will be a dog show and displays including pig agility and falconry. Country skills demonstrations include hedge laying and stone walling while the main ring will host show jumping contests.

For information visit thameshow.co.uk

Meanwhile, the countryside-sports themed Thame Country Show will be at the showground on Sunday March 31 and Monday April 1.