The Royal Norfolk Show has seen its highest turnout for several years with an estimated 10,000 more showgoers streaming on to the sun-drenched showground.

Eastern Daily Press: The Royal Norfolk Show 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018The Royal Norfolk Show 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

An estimated 85,000 people flocked to Costessey over the two days, leaving organisers over the moon.

Show director Mark Nicholas has celebrated the 'tremendous' show and said: 'We can't know for certain yet, but the amount of visitors we've had is definitely in the mid 80 thousands. We haven't seen this many people at the show since 2014, maybe earlier.'

Due to the bad weather last year, the show welcomed 75,000 people, and Mr Nicholas believes an extra 10,000 have attended this year.

Visitors enjoyed glorious sunshine across both days, with temperatures reaching highs of 25C.

Eastern Daily Press: The Royal Norfolk Show 2017Paint Out artist Tom CringleThe Royal Norfolk Show 2017Paint Out artist Tom Cringle (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434)

'Personal highlights for me this year have been seeing the team's hard work pay off, they've delivered a fantastic content programme,' Mr Nicholas added.

He said: 'We also love seeing the agricultural and equine events in the Grand Ring, it really is a highlight to see the ring packed with livestock and horses, which the farmers have worked towards all year.'

Organisers this year introduced a full programme of evening entertainment for the first day.

Mr Nicholas added: 'We had 4,000 people in the woodland on the first night for the music festival. The food hall stayed open later and the Grand Ring events went on later,' he said.

Eastern Daily Press: The Royal Norfolk Show 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018The Royal Norfolk Show 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)

He added: 'Seeing 10,000 people more at the Royal Norfolk Show is definitely good news for next year's programme, it means more investment in the show and gives us the confidence that the show needs to maintain its first class standard.'

The show also saw massive changes thanks to the new and improved Horticulture Show, which featured show gardens, pollinator gardens, and plot to plate demonstrations.

Of course, the crowd favourite of a floral marquee featuring show flowers, fruit and vegetables, was also back this year.

Visitors have been able to park for free if they bought a ticket in advance, which is also believed to be behind the bumper turnout.

Eastern Daily Press: The ladies in the headline hats and best dressed competition at the Royal Norfolk Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe ladies in the headline hats and best dressed competition at the Royal Norfolk Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Eastern Daily Press: Four-year-old Oliver Brown plays with the Lego church being built at the Diocese of Norwich stand at the Royal Norfolk Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYFour-year-old Oliver Brown plays with the Lego church being built at the Diocese of Norwich stand at the Royal Norfolk Show. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The Royal Norfolk Show 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018The Royal Norfolk Show 2018Byline: Sonya DuncanCopyright: Archant 2018 (Image: Archant 2017)