THE North Yorkshire County Show is joining the Regional Sheep Exhibitors' Championship for the first time this year.

The innovative new competition was launched at the Malton Show last year to reward the best sheep breeders and exhibitors in the area

And this show season competitors in sheep classes at participating shows will be able to collect points they accrue to find the ultimate champions in an Exhibitors’ Championship.

The North Yorkshire show, to be held at South Otterington near Northalleton on June 21, has already received a record number of entries this year.

And it has joined Malton, Driffield, Ryedale and Thornton le Dale shows to participate in the scheme, which was the brain child of Malton Show’s chief sheep steward Lizzie Jennings.

The idea is to benefit all five shows by providing a regional championship which is judged irrespective of breed.

Lizzie, 26, came up with the idea to recognise the best sheep breeders in the area and is encouraging all exhibitors to get involved. “This awards the champion of champions for this region,” she said.

“The competition is a level playing field for all exhibitors in the area, whether they exhibit hill, upland or lowland breeds.”