A FESTIVAL which features dozens of competitions for sheep, including races, has attracted thousands of visitors.

Organisers of the Masham Sheep Fair said the two-day event, which marks how the town’s market square once hosted sales for as many as 70,000 sheep a year, said judging by sales of programmes, the 31st running of the event had proved particularly popular.

They said fine weather alongside the release of Amanda Owen’s The Yorkshire Shepherdess, James Rebanks’s A Shepherd’s Life and hit film Addicted to Sheep, led to large crowds watching the traditional parade, wool competition, sheepdog trials and demonstrations.

Other highlights included an art exhibition and performances by hand bell ringers, Reeth Brass Band and Ripon Morris Dancers.

It is thought the event, which raised funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, may have topped the £12,000 collected last year.

An event spokeswoman said: “We had some really good entries in some classes, which seemed to be up on previous years, such as the Jacobs.

“We had two new cups this year, in memory of people who made a major contribution to the sheep fair in previous years – Mike Keeble and Brian Maw.

“The show was such a success due to the massive contribution of volunteers, such as Dick Anderson and David Neson.”