THIRSK’S own Yorkshire Vets are adding a touch of television glamour to a country show that has seen a record number of equine entries this year.

Countryside Live takes place over the weekend of October 21 and will feature attractions brought by Channel 5 including the stars of the Yorkshire Vet series Julian Norton and Peter Wright.

The event, at The Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, will feature around 2,000 animals spanning everything from pigs to poultry, sheep to cattle and pigeons to rabbits.

There will be hundreds of stands to browse as well as horticultural classes.

This year has seen a record number of horses entered for classes as the show hosts a national farriers’ championship for the first time ever.

The high level of entries is also partly thanks to a new addition, The Showing Register’s North East Showing Finals, which culminates in the TSR Members’ Supreme Championship.

The Showing Register’s classes are in addition to the traditional favourites which focus on young riders.

The annual search for a talented showjumper also takes place throughout the weekend, with the final on Sunday afternoon.

The competition is open to riders aged ten and over and among the competitors will be ten-year-old Lilly Aspell, from Richmond, who starred as the young Wonder Woman in the summer’s blockbuster DC Comics/Warner Bros film.

Organiser Janice Mewse said: “The riders are always thrilled by having the chance to compete in the main ring at the Great Yorkshire Showground and the competition has just grown and grown.”

Other attractions include a pop up country pub with live music, a cookery theatre and children’s activities.