THOUSANDS are expected to descend on the Yorkshire Dales this weekend as one of the region’s much loved-loved countryside traditions celebrates a major milestone.

The 100th Wensleydale Show will be held just outside Leyburn on Saturday, August 23, and this year boasts record entries as well as some spectacular entertainment.

The show is one of Wensleydale’s largest events and typifies a traditional countryside show, with classes for cattle, sheep, poultry and heavy horses.

With an increased level of both competition and demand in recent years, further classes have been introduced for retrained racehorses, working hunters, native beef breeds, and Zwartbles sheep.

This year it will also feature aerial action from Tom Cassells, the three-time British aerobatic champion, while on the ground will be the Bolddog Lings – the official Honda motorcycle display team.

The Century Pageant of Agriculture will show how farming has changed since the first ever Wensleydale Show, which was actually held in 1892 – in some later years it could not be staged for various reasons.

Horticultural, handicraft and home craft sections also feature, as well as a flower and a vegetable show. A vintage section includes tractors, cars, and steam traction engines - with some entrants even travelling in from abroad.

Guest of honour will be local farmer and Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity – the man largely responsible for bringing the Tour de France to the region last month.

“As a farmer and local resident, the Wensleydale Show is one of my favourite in the agricultural calendar,” he said.

“I’m delighted to see there are a record number of entries this year and the standards are always so high, it’s a pleasure to both exhibit and visit.”

He added: “Agricultural shows are vital to the lifeblood of Yorkshire and we are proud to host some of the biggest and some of the best in Britain.”

Free parking is available but visitors can also take a bus - show chairman David Ford said:”Once again the show committee have hired the ex-London Routemaster bus to provide a free bus service between Leyburn and the showfield.

“The bus stops will be clearly marked and buses will run throughout the day. This ties in nicely with the Wensleydale Railway.”

The show runs from 10am to 5pm. For further information visit wensleydaleshow.org.uk