SOME of the region's finest will square up for a battle of brains and brawn later this month.

They will be taking part in the Tug-of-War Association's Yorkshire Championships - only one of the elements of the 2004 Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair.

Countryside Live takes place on October 30 and 31 at the Yorkshire Event Centre, the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. Held for the first time last year, there are several new features, including the tug-of-war contest.

Teams hoping to muscle in on the honours include Young Farmers Club members and there is also a section for women competitors.

The championships take place on the Sunday, with the weigh-in starting at noon. Judge Adrian Willis said: "A tug-of-war isn't just about weight, it's skill as well. You need both to be successful. We've got quite a few teams who are determined to take a prize this year, so we should have some fantastic battles."

Countryside Live is a showcase for the farming industry as well as providing an insight into country life.

Food, and in particular regional produce, will play a leading part.