THE North of England may soon be able to provide an answer to London's Smithfield Show.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society yesterday confirmed a partnership with the Northern Counties Livestock Show, which has agreed to relocate from York to Harrogate's Great Yorkshire Showground in October next year.

The two-day event will be held inside the venue's two exhibition halls and will include competitive classes for cattle, sheep and poultry.

A cookery theatre, a children's educational area, trade stands, country craft demonstrations, examples of the latest agricultural machinery and a falconry display are also part of the programme.

Cattle classes at the event, given the title Countryside Live, will act as regional qualifying rounds for London's Smithfield Show.

"We are very excited," said the chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, Nigel Puling.

"It is nice to be able to announce something positive when the industry has been going through such a terrible time.

"We are going to work very hard to make sure this event is a success."

Organisers kept estimates of the crowds modest yesterday. It is thought the first event on Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, next year, will attract up to 4,000, compared with the 100,000-plus who flock to the same showground for the Great Yorkshire Show every July.

However, Mr Pulling and Northern Counties Livestock Show spokesman Philip Hughes were keen to emphasis that the Harrogate venue offers the potential for expansion in the future.

"This is one of the most important decisions in the Yorkshire Agricultural Society's history.

"It is a natural progression for us as a key supporter of the industry and fits well with the many events we hold on the showground.

"It demonstrates our commitment to farming and our belief it has a positive future, and that we should all celebrate that."