GLORIOUS sunshine brought over 17,000 people from across the North to the final show of the agricultural season.

Organisers said it was one of the best Nidderdale Shows in recent memory. For farmers Jim and Heather Marks from Bishopton, near Darlington, it was a triumph, as they carried off the supreme cattle title with their champion Limousin heifer.

It was the animal's fourth major win in the past month after carrying off titles at Wooller, Wolsingham and Stokesley.

Mrs Marks said: "It’s been absolutely brilliant, we bought her in May, we weren’t intending to buy a pedigree but she really caught our eye and it’s definitely paid off."

President John Fort said many children and youngsters had been at the show after special tickets for pupils at Pateley Bridge school were made available as part of a campaign to increase the show's educational impact.

“This is an important part of what we do. There is so much more interest in the countryside and agriculture, this is a traditional agricultural show and there’s a lot of enthusiasm for that, the turnout and attendance reflects it.

“I don’t remember seeing the kind of support for the parade through the town, people were four and five deep, it’s been marvellous.”

For 11-year-old John Simpson from Ripon his future in farming was given a major boost when he carried off the Junior Shepherd title with his Texel Cross. But he revealed sheep aren’t his first interest. “We have a diary farm, so I’ll not be a shepherd, I want to be a dairy farmer,” he added.