WOOL is commonplace at the Great Yorkshire Show, given the number of sheep on display, but this year's event featured a whole host of other knitted novelties.

The second day of the famous show was hit by Thirsk Yarnbombers who specially designed dozens of new knitted creatures and items reflecting Yorkshire including a Yorkshire teapot, cricket stumps, chickens on bikes, Yorkshire puddings and Theakstons ale.

Sam Spence, Ann Akers, Jane Grainger and Kath Reynard arrived at the showground at 6am to adorn the Welcome to Yorkshire stand with characters, after the tourist organisation, headed by Sit Gary Verity, contacted the group. It followed a stunt which saw Thirsk marketplace covered with knitting and crocheted items in April for the Tour de Yorkshire.

Mrs Spence said: “We had about four weeks to prepare for this after Welcome to Yorkshire contacted us. We jumped at the chance to get involved.

“We have knitted buckets and spades, a drover, mile post, ferret, and everything needed for an afternoon tea.”

Mrs Akers added: “It is such an honour to be here – we are really excited and have had lots of people approaching us to talk about our projects.”

Elsewhere, a forester who has dedicated his entire working life to one country estate has been honoured by the Royal Forestry Society.

Peter Archer, 56, collected his award marking 40 years on the Raby Estate, in Staindrop, near Barnard Castle.

The estate, owned by Lord Barnard’s family since 1629, has a long history of active forest management.

Mr Archer said: “From the moment I visited the estate while I was still in school, I knew that working in a forest was what I wanted to do. It is a way of life and there is great satisfaction of seeing the plantations grow. I am very proud to be receiving this award.”

Also in the showground, the Shorthorn herd was hailed one of the big success stories of the year, with both the dairy and beef varieties performing well.

Ian Park, stockman for Gerald and Robin Turton of Upsall, near Thirsk, took home female champion and breed champion for his two-year-old beef shorthorn in calf heifer.

“We have never had breed champion so we are thrilled. She is just an outstanding heifer, good and fleshy, walks well and her overall presence is good.

“The breed has really taken off in the last two years – there are lots of new breeders each year.

“The breed is very old and is greatly improved in its suckler herds – they are very milky, docile and long-lived.”

The show continues on Thursday (July 14) and is expected to attract crowds of approximately 130,000 over the three days.