CATTLE classes at the Great Yorkshire Show are being beefed up with a record number of national champions being chosen at the event.

For the first time three national cattle championships are being held at the show which is being staged from July 10 to 12 at the Harrogate showground. It means the country's leading breeders will be bringing their prime cattle to compete for the titles.

Show Director Charles Mills said: “It is a real honour to have been chosen by three breed societies to host their national championship and means we really will be showcasing the very finest examples of these beef breeds from across the UK.”

This year is the 160th show with over 130,000 people expected to attend. Chief Cattle Steward Margaret Chapman said the cattle classes are full with a waiting list in operation. The three championships are the British Simmental Cattle Society’s English National Show being held for the first time; the British Charolais Cattle Society’s national championship, held for the second time and the Beef Shorthorn UK Championship is coming back for a fourth year. Between them they've attracted nearly 300 entries.