THE colour of Oxford's Cowley Road Carnival brightened up a dull and windy day at Thame Show yesterday.

Young people from East Oxford, who took part in this year's carnival, joined members of the Oxford Pegasus Theatre Group to perform songs and dances.

Several children donned cowhorn headdresses to make up for the absence of cattle and sheep categories, abandoned due to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks.

Children from Lark Rise Primary School, Oxford, are pictured wearing colourful head gear.

However, the show - usually the biggest one-day agricultural show in England - still attracted thousands of people despite the unsettled weather. All the major competitions for horses, donkeys, dogs, caged-birds, rabbits, flowers, fruit and vegetables went ahead.

In the domestic tent, youngsters from Great Milton, Wheatley and Ickford schools showed off the produce they had grown.

Historic and classic cars were on show, along with a selection of vintage farm machinery. Main ring attractions included hunting hounds and a sheepdog display and terrier racing.

Organiser Henrietta Gill said: "We felt it was important to bring children from East Oxford who probably have very little understanding of the countryside to the county show.

"And to make up for the lack of cattle at the show this year, several of the children donned cow-horn headdresses during their parade.

"They did two shows and attracted a lot of attention."

Thame show, which incorporates Oxfordshire County Show, went ahead despite not having its mainstay cattle and sheep sections, cut because of foot and mouth disease.

But the biggest one-day agricultural show in England still attracted thousands of people despite the uncertain weather.

All the major competitions for horses, donkeys, dogs, caged-birds, rabbits, flowers, fruit and vegetables were well-patronised.

In the domestic tent, youngsters from Great Milton, Wheatley and Ickford schools showed off the produce they had grown in the Waterperry Gardens allotment project.

They have spent the last six months looking after the fruit and vegetables they have grown in three raised beds at Waterperry.

Among the trade stands was the Royal British Legion publicising its current campaign to get better treatment for service people, both at home and for those serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia.

National organiser Robert Lee said: "It is very important that we raise the standards of treatment of our people and the Legion is determined to make a difference."

Thame and District Classic Car Club had its biggest display including chairman Nigel Champken-Woods's black sports car, which once belonged to television star David Jason. Alongside them were the Risborough and District Historic Farm Machinery Club with its vintage tractors.

They also took part in the annual ploughing match, the roots of Thame Show which began in the 1800s as a ploughing match between rival farmers.

Attractions in the main ring were the Bicester and Whaddon Chase Hounds, a sheepdog display, terrier racing, a country pursuits exhibition of falconry and gun dogs and the music ride of the Household Cavalry. Many local and national charities had stalls at the show, a craft tent was very busy, organic produce and local food produced by the Oxford Food Group attracted a lot of custom and all the emergency services had vehicles on display.

The Countryman of the Year Award went to David Passmore, of Mays Farm, Ewelme.

Many top showjumpers entertained the crowds which were expected to have topped 20,000 by the end of the day.