IF polishing the family silverware is a dreaded chore spare a thought for father-and-son Edward and Joseph Smith.

With just days to go before the opening of England’s premier agricultural show, they have rolled up their sleeves and started polishing the 220-plus trophies awarded during the Great Yorkshire Show.

More than 130,000 visitors are expected to flock to the 158th event, which runs from July 12 to 14 in Harrogate.

And for trophy manager Edward, and his 25-year-old student son Joseph, the remaining days will rush by in a blur of silver polish, yellow dusters and plenty of elbow grease.

Edward, who lives in Harrogate, has been trophy manager for the past decade. His daughter Kathryn, 28, has helped him over the years, and this time, Joseph has stepped in to help for the second year running.

“The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has in excess of 220 trophies which are handed out during the three days of the Great Yorkshire Show,” said Edward.

“Our job is to not only get them back from last year’s winners, but to make sure they are all polished and ready, and in the correct show rings, at the right time, to be handed out to this year’s winners.”