A 30-YEAR-OLD tradition which sees hundreds of sheep herded into a town famed for its livestock sales will take place on a new date next year to avoid a major cycling race.

Welcome to Yorkshire, Masham Parish Council and Masham Sheep Fair have joined forces to agree the event will now take place on October 5 and 6.

The move is to avoid a clash with the UCI Road World Championships, which will take place from September 25 to 29.

Susan Cunliffe-Lister, Masham Sheep Fair organiser, said: “It was a difficult decision to move the dates to 5-6 October for one year, but we hope that by doing so, visitors will be able to enjoy both the cycling and the Sheep Fair and help us to continue supporting farmers and the local community.”

“We do recognise that the new date clashes with some other sheep-related events and sales but will do our best to make the 2019 show as strong as possible.”

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity added the move would be "beneficial" for both events.