THOUSANDS turned out to see motorcycles, animals, circus displays and even racing ferrets at this year's Monmouth Show.

A host of events and activities, combined with reasonable weather yesterday, meant that visitors from England and Wales were entertained at Monmouth's Vauxhall Fields.

Highlights included the Imps motorcycle display team, showjumping, dog demonstrations and, new to the show, the under publicised sport of ferret racing.

Youngsters had the opportunity to test their circus skills or meet piglets, rabbits and guinea pigs at a special animal farm enclosure.

The annual show, which has a 214- year-old history, was also a platform to promote many good causes and charities.

Among them was the WOWLS Sanctuary based at Llangibby, near Caerleon, which looks after more than 40 birds of prey.

David Cooksey, who runs the sanctuary, brought 14 hawks and owls to the show to mingle with the fascinated public. "I call these birds my fundraising team," said Mr Cooksey.

"They tend to be quite at ease with people as only four were given to the sanctuary and the rest were bred there."

Mr Cooksey said the Monmouth Show was a good venue to highlight WOWLS.

"It costs about £200 a month just to feed them and at the moment we are building a second sanctuary in Treowen, near Newbridge, so we need all the help we can get," he said.

Another good cause to feature at the show was a fundraising stall for the 'Friends of the Children of Chernobyl'.

Sue Oswell, 58, from Raglan, is a trustee of the charity which brings youngster from Russia and Ukraine affected by the 1986 disaster on trips to visit the UK.

"Each visit increases their life span because it gives them a chance to build up their immune system," said Mrs Oswell. "We are always on the look out for donations or new host families."

Monmouth Archaeological Society who recently discovered the lost city of Trellech also featured with a stall showing off a variety of their latest finds. And in keeping with tradition Monmouth Show had competitions for best sheep, ponies, goats, horses and dogs, making very much an animals' day out too.

The cutest performance of the day were the Paws for Thought display team which included ten rescued dogs performing a variety of tricks. Star of the show was Bob, a rescued collie, who delighted the crowds.