NORTH Yorkshire County Show is due to be staged later this month – kicking off the start of show season.

The agricultural event is due to take place in the grounds of Otterington Hall near Northallerton on Sunday, June 19.

Last year attracted record entries in many sections including cattle and sheep classes and this year the show committee has increased the prize money on offer, putting in an additional £2,000.

The event will feature some traditional entertainment, as well as some new additions.

Show secretary Alan Andrews said: “We’re going to do something we think is quite unique for the North and demonstrate a traditional farming skill.

“When people see a round bale in a black wrapper, nobody gets to see how it got there.

“We’re going to take an existing straw bale into the ring, use a piece of kit that unravels it, then spread it about the ring. Then we’ll take an old-fashioned baler and a more modern round baler and put it back together.

“It’s the kind of thing farmers probably see every day, but if you’re not a farmer it’s not something you usually get to see.”

The show will also feature sheepdog handler Katy Cropper demonstrating her trade. She was the first woman to win One Man and His Dog and won the English National Sheepdog trials in 2012.

In the afternoon a carriage display will be making an appearance in the main ring, followed by a parade of winning cattle, classic cars and vintage agricultural machinery.

There will also be a fun dog show, children’s entertainment, a Yorkshire Food Marquee, craft and trade stands, along with traditional classes for cattle, sheep, poultry and rabbits and a show jumping contests. People can also enter their crafts and produce in a range of classes.

Tickets are £9 for adults and £7 for children, with under-fives free and family tickets £30. The site will also have National Childbirth Trust-approved baby changing facilities.

Tickets are available in advance from Northallerton or Thirsk Tourist Information Offices or Bedale Pet Shop in the High Street.

There will be a free bus service running from the Northallerton and Thirsk areas on show day. A full timetable will be published prior to show day.

For more details visit www.northyorkshireshow.co.uk