Traders said they had to leave early from The Great British Farm Fest this weekend, despite organisers saying 50,000 people headed to the new event over three days at the NAEC Stoneleigh.

The inaugural show, which was headlined by TV's Jeremy Clarkson, was billed as a celebration of "farming, food and countryside entertainment".

And while organisers have hailed the success of the event, some traders have taken to social media to vent their frustrations.

Korrinne Pallas of Phoenix Equestrian & Pet posted on Instagram on Saturday (May 23) to say she would not be coming back for Sunday.

"It is a decision as a business, looking at everything that is factored in," she said in a video.

"It has been catastrophic for us.

"When you are already a small family business, in hard times, it is heart wrenching.

"Onwards and upwards is the way I am trying to be. We are a few grand down."

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The Leicestershire-based business said it would cost £400 to come for the final day, but they had not made that in takings over the two days before - "nowhere f****** near in fact".

Kent-based dog brand Pops and Co UK labelled the event a "shambles" and said the mix of countryside shopping with a music and food festival did not work.

"There's been a lot of traders who have gone home, lots of traders went home last night, particularly dog traders," they said on social media.

"I would say 90 per cent of traders across the festival, whatever they are selling, have either made a loss or have not made their costs back or are only just, just making some money."

The festival saw 400 stalls and 12 arenas take over the showground, with other traders far more positive about the event.

Ben Newman - the man behind the viral Spudman jacket potato business - said the festival had "smashed it out of the park".

He said there was a constant flow of customers through the day.

Hot tub business Outdoor Living said it received multiple orders after a "brilliant" first day.

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Meanwhile clothing business Country Stiches criticised the signage on the first day but praised organisers for responding and improving things for the rest of the weekend.

"Saturday and Sunday was incredible," they said.

"So many lovely customers, so many orders, and I completely sold out of lots of items.

"Reading some other traders' experiences online afterwards and seeing the complete opposite makes me feel incredibly grateful.

"Farm Fest has given my little business even more recognition for my fully British handmade farm and country children's clothing."

In a statement, organisers said: "We have been working closely with traders at The Great British Farm-Fest to provide support during our inaugural weekend.

"We are surprised that a handful of exhibitors, out of the 400 who attended, left the show within a few hours of the first day without experiencing an event that has attracted over 50,000 visitors."

As well as live music and a host of other attractions, visitors also had the opportunity to hear from TV chef Matt Tebbutt and Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton, as they shared their passion for British produce and the importance of supporting British farming.

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Matt Tebbutt commented: "By the very nature of the amazing turnout of this weekend, people care about the countryside; they care about farmers; they care about where their food has come from – and I think that is on the rise dramatically.

"If you like to go out into the countryside and see lambs and cows in fields, that beautiful, rural idyll, you need to be supporting British farmers."

Social media has also been flooded with attendees praising the success of the event.