"PRIVILEGED and "honoured" were just two of the words used to describe the arrival of a member of the royal family at a country show.

The Westmorland County Show drew people in their thousands as for the first time in its history organisers welcomed Prince Charles to the event.

The best of Cumbrian livestock, produce and, most importantly, communities were proudly on show for the prince.

Chief executive of the Westmorland Show, Christine Knipe, found it hard to express just what it meant for her and the show.

She said: "I'm absolutely over the moon, today's visit could not have gone better. We've been so, so lucky.

"My experience was phenomenal, I feel truly privileged to spend the day in his company. He seemed so pleased to be here, he talked to so many people, many real, proper Cumbrian people."

During his visit the prince spoke to dozens of locals, farmers and produce makers.

It is well known Prince Charles is passionate for rural affairs, and has for decades worked to champion the rights of farmers and rural communities.

Mrs Knipe continued: "The focus of his visit was real people and rural communities, it is something very dear to his heart."

Among the dignitaries which gave the prince a warm welcome to the Crooklands showground included Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, Tim Farron.

The MP commented on a star-studded show, saying he had heard Glastonbury founder, Michael Eavis CBE, had been on site.

Of Prince Charles' appearance, he said: "It must surely have put us on the map even more than normal.

"I've met him before and what's impressive about him, every time, is how much he knows about our area, about Cumbria and how much he's committed to it. In the past he's been a very valuable and influential voice on behalf of farmers, and hill farmers in particular, and he's been a big help on some of the big issues.

"He's got a great memory so we've had some good chats today about the previous issues we've discussed together. He spent a good few hours meeting lots of people - including a group of lads from Kendal College who got a selfie video with him.

"He added a real boost to the show."

Of what the Westmoland Show means to him personally, Mr Farron added: "It is a massive honour to do what I do, I love doing it, and the Westmorland Show is almost like a market square for my whole constituency. There are thousands and thousands of people here and I lose count of the conversations I've had.

"Sometimes those conversations are hard, sometimes they can be very difficult and there is someone really in need of your help. But it is always something special to have what feels like your whole constituency in one place."

One of the highlights for south Cumbria came when an Ulverston farmer was presented an award for his prize sheep.

Clive Richardson, of Swarthmoor, was presented the Upland Trophy by the prince for his upland sheep, Jacob.

Mrs Knipe said: "He presented the Upland Trophy, that went to an Ulverston farmer. He oversaw quite a lot of the judging."

As the largest agricultural show in Cumbria, there were a huge number of attractions for the thousands of attendees.

Some of the finest food makers in the county were given the chance to show their wares, alongside animal competitions, shepherds' crook carving, and the ever present show of brute force that is Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling.

Summing up her thoughts at the end of a momentous day, Mrs Knipe said: "It was this first time he's visited the show, he's visited Cumbria on a number of occasions, but it was his first time here.

"It was a true privilege to show him what we do."