acrobatic gymnastic spectacular which helped bring thousands to the 55th Agriculture Exhibition yesterday.

The Elastic Gymnastic Show which featured a rare form of bungee jumping proved a dazzling highlight of the three-day extravaganza.

Daredevil demonstrations were laid on by several overseas star performers -- including Mr. Yves Milord, the former world trampolining champion.

Silver medallist of the 1982 world high diving championship, Mr. Bill Brown, showed off his skills as well.

But it wasn't just an occasion for experts -- many youngsters also had the chance to swing about from the 40-foot steel frame.

Among them was six-year-old Saltus Grammar schoolboy Evan Faulkenberry, from Warwick, who had a whale of a time.

"It was just great. I wasn't scared at all,'' he enthused afterward.

His sister, Rebecca, seven, was equally keen not to miss out on the fun.

"It was really exciting,'' she exclaimed.

The spectacle -- a first for the exhibition -- was made possible by Mrs.

Vaughan Sullivan, from Warwick. She saw a high diving performance by the same artistes in Ottawa last August.

"I was so impressed I spoke to one of the exhibition organisers and said we must have them over here. It's been a great success.'' Mr. Brown, who hails from Orlando, said the show was influenced by the thrilling opening ceremony at the Albertville Winter Olympics.

An ambitious idea already being floated is to lay on a nighttime bungee-style spectacular in Bermuda.

Later on yesterday afternoon the same performers provided children with another dose of acrobatics to the sound of pop music -- this time on trampolines.

The audience included the Governor Sir Desmond Langley, who was suddenly hauled into the fun. He was asked to lie down on a mat with 10 youngsters while Mr. Milord literally bounced over them.

"That was grand,'' Sir Desmond said afterward as he returned to his seat to thunderous applause.

Special visitors for the hundreds of children around the main show ring were the cuddly trio from Canada's Wonderland theme park -- Yogi, Barney, and Fred.

Other activities in a fun-packed programme included show jumping, several pony contests, open carriage competitions, and cattle judging.

And for the musically-minded a pounding beat was struck up throughout the day by the United States 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.

Mr. John Barnes, exhibition director, said afterward the number of paid admissions, 5,577, was 1,908 down on last year.

Thursday's figure of 3,195 was also marginally down on 1991 -- by 103.

The exhibition has not gone totally without a hitch. On Thursday Annie Sousa broke a leg in the novice show jumping class after falling off while making a jump.

Yesterday one of the organisers of the Elastic Gymnastic Show fell around 15 feet when part of the mechanism on the steel frame snapped as it was being tested. Luckily, he was caught by his colleagues and was unhurt.