A NEW man has taken over at the top of the organisation behind the biggest event in the North's farming calendar.

Nigel Pulling, 42, has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, whose flagship event is the annual Great Yorkshire Show, which is held at Harrogate.

Formerly the head of finance and commercial enterprises with the society, he will take up the post with immediate effect.

Announcing the appointment, chairman John Stoddart-Scott said: "Nigel joined the society a year ago, and was immediately thrust into the fast lane with the illness and untimely death of the former chief executive, Robin Keigwin.

"However, his previous experience as a finance director and company secretary has proved invaluable, and he has helped guide the society and provide leadership at a critical time.

"The pressures in agriculture continue and as we re-launch the Great Yorkshire Show Nigel will have a significant involvement in ensuring the continued success of the society and the show."

Mr Pulling, who comes from the North-East, is a graduate of Newcastle University and a chartered accountant by profession. He is married with two children.

* This year's Great Yorkshire Show runs from July 9 to 11