BLUE skies brought a boost for a traditional Dales show which saw an increase in entries – and some of its youngest ever competitors getting involved.

The 102nd Wensleydale Show saw more than 6,000 visitors flock to the showfield near Leyburn, which boasted traditional attractions including sheep, cattle and horse classes alongside daredevil entertainment from a quad bike stunt show.

Friends Alice Bowes and Luke Percy, both aged just two, made their show debut entering the sheep handling classes, and Alice’s mum Jenny Bowes said she thought they must be the youngest ever competitors.

“They’re big friends and they both wanted to enter the young handler classes," said Mrs Bowes. "They’ve been so excited about entering the show.

"Alice just absolutely loves everything to do with the farm and the sheep particularly, I suspect this will be the start of things to come."

Organisers said a major bonus was entries in the handicraft sections being up by a quarter, largely because of support from new residents moving into recently built homes in the surrounding area.

Show chairman Bob Dixon said: “It’s been an excellent show, we want to thank all our entrants, traders, supporters and sponsors. It’s been particularly heartening that new residents to the area are supporting the show and getting involved in the community."

Dairy farmer Philip Metcalfe carried off the supreme champion rosette with three and a half year old Holstein Washford Artes Coco. Mr Metcalfe’s 13-year-old son Nicholas is the fourth generation to farm in Wensleydale.

He said: “We’re really delighted with this trophy - the standard at this show is particularly high, and this is the first time we have won the title in eight years. It is a real boost." But Mr Metcalfe warned the industry is still really struggling because of the low prices being paid for milk.

“We need a price rise and quickly," he added. "The downturn has bottomed out now. Because so many farms have gone out of business there is a shortage of milk, but we’re hardly seeing the prices go up."

Supreme sheep champion Kenton Foster carried off the title with his Charolais two shear ewe. Mr Foster, of nearby Garriston, said there was stiff competition at the show, and added: “Quality comes to quality, and Wensleydale Show is known as a high quality event.”