MORE than 26,000 visitors attended Northumberland County Show on Bank Holiday Monday.

A wide range of attractions drew visitors from all over the North of England to the 90 acre site at Bywell, near Stocksfield.

The Shetland Pony Grand National was a huge hit with the crowd which was thrilled by the high speed action as a dozen 8-13 year old jockeys raced over the jumps in the main ring on their little ponies.

The farming community was out in force to see who the winner of this year’s coveted Champion of Champions trophy would be.

In the line-up were last year’s winner, Gordon Gray from Selkirk with a Texel ram lamb from his prize winning flock; a magnificent Clydesdale horse, owned by Darren Willey and assisted by his daughter Katie,13, from Chopwell; Jonathon Watson’s Interbreed Beef Champion, whose family travelled from Berwick upon Tweed for the day; the two champion Alpacas – handler Bowen Whitcomb from Stagshaw Alpacas with the champion Huacaya, and Janet Brown from Rotherham with her champion Black Suri.

But judge Ken Shield, after pondering the matter for some time, chose a pure Limousin owned and bred by Willie Barron of Morrowedge Farm, Burnhope, as his Champion of Champions.

The steer, Barrons Lascard, was sired by Mr Barron’s stock bull, Mearside Godolphin. Mr Barron said: "This is the first time I’ve shown commercially. It’s been a fantastic day out and we’ll definitely be back."

This year visitors had an even better view of the main arena action with the addition of a big screen TV. Judy Willis, event organiser, said: "We’re very pleased this has been such a popular development. The roaming camera provided coverage from around the show field fed to the main arena screen. We’ll definitely do it again next year!"

Surveys on the day indicated the public enjoyed the main arena attraction, the Sheep Show and Birds of Prey, and were impressed by the wide range of things to see and do.

Farmers noted the quality of livestock was superb and only comparable to the large three-day Great Yorkshire and Highland Shows.

James Wardle, chairman, said: "Every year the show gets bigger and better. This year looks like being the best show we’ve ever had, and I want to thank all of the hard working volunteers and committee who make it happen!"