More than 50,000 people attended the first day of this year's Royal Norfolk Show - and organisers hope the hot and sunny weather will help the overall total top the 100,000 mark.

More than 50,000 people attended the first day of this year's Royal Norfolk Show - and organisers hope the hot and sunny weather will help the overall total top the 100,000 mark.

The final figure for the opening day is still being calculated and the pre-show ticket sales from supermarkets and other outlets have not been returned.

But as the second day got into full swing and the perfect summer weather continued, chief executive John Purling was confident the the 2008 total of 100,542 could be bettered.

The all-time show record was 105,629 in 2006.

Last year's first day crowd was almost certainly boosted by the appearance of Prince Harry.

'We think the figure yesterday was on a par with last year and we were very, very happy with the day overall. I am confident we will be over 100,000 for the two days.'

Many showgoers stopped until late in the evening as the weather remained perfect and enjoyed an Abba tribute group, which played near the bandstand.

Traffic appeared to be moving fairly freely at the start of day two, where the highlights are again the Human Cannonball Man, the Rockwood Dog Display Team and the Falcons parachute team.

One of the highlights today will be RAF Marham personnel in the closing ceremony as they parade two flights accompanied by the Minden Band at 6.20pm.

Mr Purling said: 'The great Norfolk public has turned out to support the show and we hope we have delivered on our promises. If you are still thinking about coming on day two, then I would say come! There will be 12 hours of international grade entertainment.'

He paid tribute to the staff who had worked tirelessly to get the event ready.

Visitors attending today have been urged to wear hats, drink lots of fluids and slap on the sun cream as temperatures could top 30C in the sun.

St John Ambulance confirmed that by the end of the day there were more than 120 casualties - with 'more than half' put down to yesterday's 'heatwave'.

Paramedics stressed the importance of staying hydrated and keeping out of the sun.

As of 5pm there were only two people required hospital treatment - one show-rider who fell off a horse and another 'age-related' incident.

St John Ambulance duty officer Darren Bunn said: 'We are getting a steady stream of people because of the heat - a lot of them seem to be people who haven't had enough liquids. It's hot and people are not looking out for themselves.

'It's going to be the same tomorrow so it's important to cover up, keep the fluids flowing.'

*About 3000 people flocked to the EDP's tea tent on Wednesday for free tea and cake - and a similar number is expected on Thursday.

*A special shuttle service from the Costessey Park and Ride site to the Royal Norfolk Show is being laid on by Norfolk County Council on Thursday.

It starts at 7.45am with the last return shuttle bus leaving King George IV gate at 5.45 pm.