THE 200th anniversary celebrations of the Hurworth Hunt continued with the recent puppy show.

Joint master Peter Dennis welcomed the large crowd and introduced the event judge, Mr J M Letts.

Mr Letts schooled the assembled audience in the art of recognising a good hound.

This information became particularly useful later when spectators were invited to use their knowledge and take part in a friendly competition to identify the overall winner of the event.

Huntsman Joe Townsend and whipper in Dan Murphy worked with several groups of hounds, inviting young children to join them in the ring. The display ended with the whole pack flooding into the ring to be admired by the appreciative audience.

Results. - Hounds: 1 Lincoln, walker Caroline Benson; 2 Lifeguard, Guy Henderson-Reed; 3 Limekilne, Linda Armstrong. Bitches: 1 Liberty, Vicky Swales; 2 Lively, Steve Trewhitt; 3 Limpet, Malcolm Havelock.

The overall winner was Liberty, walked by Vicky Swales. The spectators' competition to identify the overall winner was won by Malcolm Havelock and Sally Dennis was victorious in the children's section.

Finally, Arthur Fewster presented a cheque for £500 to Graham Pickering of the Great Northern Air Ambulance Service. The service maintains a fleet of two air ambulances covering an area from Blyth to Teesdale. Mr Pickering thanked the hunt supporters committee for their donation.