TELEVISION programmes such as The Great British Bake-off, River Cottage and children's Mr Bloom's Nursery are being credited with sparking a resurgence in all-things home-grown and home-made.

For the last two years, rural shows across the region have reported a spike in the number of entries in the handicrafts, cookery and garden produce sections, but this year has seen dramatic rises in some classes, such as baking and vegetables.

North Yorkshire County Show secretary Alan Andrew said there had been a rise of more than 30 per cent in home-produced entries at this year's event, while the organisers of shows including Rosedale and Egton in the North York Moors, reported record entries in domestic and children's contests.

Mr Andrew said while cookery had traditionally been the preserve of members of the Women's Institute and Countrywomen's Guild, many individuals, including men, were now feeling the confidence to challenge for cookery titles.

He said: "We had a man entering a hand-raised pork pie for the first time this year.

"The programmes on television such as the Great British Bake-off are doing things people can achieve, where in the past Delia Smith often did formal meals.

"It would appear there is more home cooking going on and as a consequence people are willing to put what they are making up for judging."

Malcolm Leckenby, secretary of the Rosedale Show and home produce secretary of the Ryedale Show, said while television programmes had clearly inspired this year's unprecedented entries in the industrial classes, the surge may be partly due to tighter economic times.

Egton Show produce and handicraft secretary Irene Willis-Feasby said horticulture entries were up partly due to a good growing year.

She added: “There has been a big jump in scone entries, which could either be down to the popularity of programmes such as the Great British Bake Off, or just because people are baking at home more to save money."

While a spokesman for the Reeth Show, which will be held on Monday (August 25) said home-produced entries had risen for the second year running, Joan Warriner, secretary of the Weardale Show, to be held next Saturday, said many people waited until the day before the event to decide if their garden produce was of a high enough standard.

She said: "It has been a wonderful growing summer, some of the vegetables we have have come early, so it's too early to say how many entries there will be."