FAIR weather and record numbers of entries attracted a bumper turn-out at the 36th North Yorkshire County Show.

Show organisers estimated more than 12,000 visitors flocked to the event, featuring a diverse range of agricultural, traditional and eclectic attractions.

Show president John Turner, a director of Northallerton-based agricultural and garden merchants Sam Turner and Sons, said he had been delighted to take on the honorary role after working on the family firm’s trade stand for 50 years.

He said: “It has something for everybody, it’s in beautiful setting and as it’s held on a Sunday has a relaxed atmosphere.

“While I’m not a hunting person, I particularly like seeing the hounds with the traditions being upheld.”

Organising the show jumping, Clare Candler, of Thornaby, said the soft ground and another event at Waterford, near Durham City, had hit attendances, but the rest of the showground remained firm underfoot.

Gordon and Julie Sedgewick from Ricknall Grange Farm, Newton Aycliffe, took interbreed commercial beef champion with their British Blue cross, Vodka Bleu, while Steven Kirby, of Ainderby Steeple, near Northallerton, scooped the inter-breed champion sheep title with his huge three-shear Texel ewe.

Lizzie Miles landed the supreme dairy title with her junior cow in milk, Littlebridge Pheasant 92, whose ancestry on her family’s 350-acre farm at Ellerbeck, near Northallerton, can be traced back to 1955.

Attractions in the main ring included dancing diggers and a motorcycle stunt rider, but it was the Hurworth Hunt hounds display that proved the most popular event with children.

Craft and produce secretary Glenys Rowe said the number of entries was higher than it had been for several years.

Kath and Adrian Davey from Hutton Rugby, were thrilled to both be named as trophy winners in their classes.

Mr Davey had entered 18 photographs and was awarded the Ken Donald Perpetual Challenge Trophy for his depictions of subjects ranging from farm life, Yorkshire scenes and pictures of family.

Mrs Davey added: “We do about half a dozen shows during the year, it’s a hobby for us and I have been entering produce and craft classes since I was a little girl.”