ALL pig classes have been cancelled at this year's Great Yorkshire Show, which takes place this week, after an animal became ill at a recent show.

The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said they had 'not taken the decision lightly'.

The pig was examined by a vet at the show and samples sent off for lab analysis.

However, the results of the test will not be known until after the opening day of the Show on Tuesday.

A spokesman said: "We have taken the decision to cancel all pig classes at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

"This is not a decision taken lightly and has been taken as a matter of precaution due to one report of a pig showing signs of illness at a recent show.

"The pig was examined by a vet at the show and a sample has been sent off for laboratory analysis.

"The results of the test will not be known until Tuesday this week, at the earliest.

"Animal welfare is of paramount importance to us and Great Yorkshire Show organisers have taken this step as a precautionary measure to eliminate any potential risk."

Organisers had been hoping to make the 161st show a record-breaking one, with almost 13,000 exhibitors.

The event is widely regarded as the leading agricultural show in England and is packed with farming demonstrations and entertainment, attracting thousands of people.

The Duke of York expected to make an appearance on Wednesday, alongside international visitors.

The show is also being filmed as part of a behind the scenes two-part series, Today at the Great Yorkshire Show, on Channel 5, featuring Anita Rani, Julian Norton and Peter Wright from The Yorkshire Vet.

About 130,000 visitors are expected to go to the show in Harrogate showground for the three-day event, which begins on Tuesday.

Motorists using the A1 in North Yorkshire are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys due to traffic congestion from the show. The northbound exit slip road for the A59 - junction 47 - will be closed to help manage traffic and there will be a dedicated lane for show traffic on the southbound A1 to exit at junction 47.