THOUSANDS of school children converged on the Great Yorkshire Showground to enjoy an action-packed day of fun and education at the annual Countryside Days.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s ever-popular two-day event, held at the 250-acre site on the edge of Harrogate, was an opportunity for primary school pupils to learn about farming and the countryside.

Around 6,000 children took part in countryside-themed workshops and displays on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

New activities for this year included workshops with the Airedale Beagles, Middleton Horses for the Disabled and cycling with the Bike Track People.

The society’s chief executive, Nigel Pulling, said: “Many who attend Countryside Days are regular visitors and come year on year, but we also encourage new schools to take part.

“It is inspiring to see the children learning through participation in the various activities – and I know that the teachers then take aspects of the day back into the classroom to incorporate into the curriculum.”

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is the organiser of the Great Yorkshire Show which opens next month and runs from July 8 to 10.