THE 63rd World Ploughing Contest takes place at Crockey Hill, near York, this weekend.

Local farmers, Hobson Farming Ltd, have provided more than 500 acres of their prime farmland to be used for the event, which is beside the A19 five miles south of York.

The proceedings began on Wednesday, September 7, when a Blessing of the Plough service was held in York Minster. Jim Elliott, from Beamish, the current British Horse Ploughing Champion and one of his heavy horses – suitably booted – led the plough and procession of competitors with their country's flags into the Minster.

More than 250 ploughmen and women have competed in the two-day 66th British National Championships, ending today (September 9), which will lead to two of them representing the country at next year's world contest in Kenya.

Also ploughing will be young farmers, vintage trailed, hydraulic and classic finals, high cut tractor ploughing along with classes for Ferguson, Ford and David Brown tractors, and 40 heavy horses.

Tomorrow and Sunday will see national champions from 30 countries compete in the World Ploughing Contest. They include Peter Alderslade from East Bolden, Tyne & Wear, in the reversible championship and David Chappell from Doncaster in the conventional championship.

The first World Vintage Ploughing Championships also take place over the weekend with ploughmen competing from the home countries, Europe, South Africa, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A demonstration of horse ploughing, a harness display and a European Horse Ploughing Class will also be held over the weekend.

Vintage tractors will also be seen in a Century of Agriculture with tractors from the last century being displayed and demonstrated.

The central part of the site features a large trade stand area with space being taken by a wide variety of agricultural and farming businesses, shopping stalls and crafts.

The Steam Plough Club holds A Celebration of Steam, featuring giant engines and tackle from the 1860s onwards.

See ploughmen.co.uk for details.