This year's Aylsham Show made a 'healthy surplus' after two years of deficit – celebrating its 70th anniversary in style with an estimated crowd of 18,000 people.

David Hitcham, treasurer of the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association, reported that the sun-drenched August Bank Holiday event had more than made up for the two previous years of bad weather which had hit attendance figures, and depleted the association's reserves by about £32,000.

Show president Simon Evans, who is also chairman of the association's council, said it was a vast relief that the show was such a great success after the heavy losses of the past two years.

Mr Evans said that show organisers would re-double efforts to improve access to next year's event, after recognising there had been some problems and traffic congestion at the Blickling Park showground.

Discussions on possible improvements for vehicle access with the showground's landlord, the National Trust, would be a high priority, he told the 30 members of the ruling council.

A suggestion of encouraging more visitors to arrive by bike was enthusiastically supported by council members. A new secure enclosure for cyclists would be investigated as a further priority.

Mr Hitcham said that the association would be able to make a 'reasonable distribution' of charitable funds early next year at the annual meeting in January once the final figures had been agreed.

However at this stage, he was not able to make a firm recommendation, stressing the association must aim to build up a prudent financial reserve – given that it cost at least £150,000 to stage the annual show.