ENGLAND’S oldest agricultural show blended the traditions on which it was founded with new attractions to entertain tens of thousands of visitors.

Wolsingham Show was founded in November 1763 as a cattle show, and its roots were evident at the 230th annual event at the weekend.

With twice as many entrants as last year, the cattle classes have continued to grow since the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001 forced the cancellation of shows across the country.

Section secretary Julie Sewell said: “The cattle section did really well. The Highland cattle section was particularly strong with more entrants than at most shows this year and is really popular with families.

“It’s good for the show to have strong agricultural classes and EXPERT EYE: sheep judge Billy Hislop pictured sizing up the entries really knowledgeable people on hand to educate visitors.”

Shorthorn dairy cattle, a breed that would have been farmed in the area during the early years of the show, were well represented to a high standard.

The sheep classes also helped make Saturday – agricultural day – strong.

Horse and pony classes over both days attracted entrants from far and wide, and the fur and feather marquee was popular with enthusiasts and families.

More than 600 dogs were entered into the Kennel Club dog show which was held over both days. Best in show was won by Linda Peirson, of Brotton, east Cleveland, with bearded collie Ebony.

The best puppy award went to a Shetland sheep dog called Rosie shown by sisters Simone and Fiona Berry, of Toft Hill.

Saturday also featured hundreds of industrial exhibits, including a floral art section, which raised money for Clic, the cancer and leukaemia in childhood charity, and horticultural classes.

Wolsingham and District Chrysanthemum and Horticultural Society held flower and vegetable contests on Sunday, with an impressive display by green-fingered growers from across the dale. The Eric Parkin Memorial Bowl for most points in show went to F and T Bell.

Sunday was country fair day, which included Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling and lurcher and terrier classes. The winner of the Cock of the North 2010 qualifiers were terrier champion Tupac, owned by Darren Crawford, of Hunmanby, near Scarborough, and lurcher champion Bob, owned by Mark Jary, of Shildon.

General secretary Gordon Dobson said: “It’s been a good show. We’ve been well supported, with about 10,000 people on both Saturday and Sunday.

“We’ve tried a few new things, like ferret and terrier racing, which have been popular, and everything seemed to go off well.

“The weather was also good to us, the rain held off just until Sunday’s grand parade.”

The show ended with a sheep dog trial, greyhound racing and harness racing on Monday.