OUSTANDING students starting agricultural careers and veterans of the industry who have collectively farmed for a total of 349 years have been awarded accolades for their endeavours.

Great Yorkshire Show president Sarah York presented high-flying agricultural resource management undergraduate Kate Hodgson, of Grosmont, near Whitby and Joe Campbell, of Wingate, who has received a first class agriculture degree from Newcastle University, medals for being among the best students in the region.

A ceremony at the show heard Miss Hodgson had worked tirelessly to achieve an excellent degree and hopes to introduce a venison enterprise to her family's dairy farm, while Mr Campbell had been noted for his critical analysis of farm business plans.

Among the recipients of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society's long-service awards were North Yorkshire County Show stalwarts, Len Cragg and Ralph Pattison, who have served the South Otterington show for more than 90 years between them.

Mr Cragg, who worked for the Ministry of Agriculture in Northallerton and now volunteers for the Farmers Community Network, said he was thrilled to be given the honour for doing something he had always enjoyed.

Beef and arable farmer Mr Pattison, who runs a 150-acre farm in Brompton, said the county show had changed immeasurably since he started volunteering at it in 1965, and appealed for more people to help run it in future.

The society's lifetime achievement award was presented to Nidderdale cattle farmer Joe Stoney, who the ceremony was told, had travelled the country as president of the Dalesbreed Sheep Breeders Association to promote the breed.