ALMOST 7,000 people flocked to Danby on Wednesday for the moors village's 155th agricultural show.

A day of unfaltering sunshine at this year's event meant visitor numbers were up by almost 2,000 on last year, when organisers had to cope with torrential rain in the afternoon.

A Punch and Judy show, sheep shearing demonstration and the Goathland and Glaisdale hounds kept families entertained, along with the usual food stalls, show stands and children's fairground rides.

Show chairman Shaun Dowson said: "The weather has brought people out this year. We think we've had between 6,000 and 7,000 people through the gates, which is well up on last year when we had about 5,000.

"The Punch and Judy show has been particularly popular, and the children enjoyed the hounds because they were allowed in the ring with them."

Show secretary Liz Sherd added: "Entries have been up this year too, particularly for the dog show and I think it has been popular because you can register on the day for that, and it has been such a sunny, warm day."

Whitby farmer Jamie Wood's two-year-old cow Teare Woods Icicle clinched the trophy for Champion Dairy Cow. Mr Wood, who started his own Jersey herd with just two cattle at Blue Bank in Sleights, near Whitby, five years ago, has already enjoyed successes with a second in class at Ryedale Show and a first at Northumberland County Show this year. He also runs a luxury Jersey ice cream parlour, Teare Woods, in Whitby and has travelled as afar afield as India and New Zealand looking after Jersey herds.

Texel and Scotch breeder Peter Turnbull, of Whitby, clinched the trophy for supreme champion sheep.

There were also pony classes, including races by the Glaisdale Hunt pony club, showjumping, a parade of vintage tractors, woodcarving demonstrations and a craft tent selling wood and wool products as well as local pottery.