THE importance of sheep to the region has long been recognised at the Great Yorkshire Show, with more than 30 breeds competing for the prizes.

Now the show, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, has teamed up with another kind of sheep - the Black Sheep Brewery - to give its customers a chance to present a trophy at the event.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society show runs from Tuesday to Thursday, July 8 to 10, at the Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate.

Deborah Goodall, the show's sponsorship manager, said: "As this will be our 150th show, we wanted to do something special. The opportunity arose for someone to present the trophy to the breed champion of the Swaledale section, a strong Yorkshire breed, so we went to Black Sheep for help."

People are asked to collect tokens from Black Sheep pubs - which can be exchanged for discounted show tickets - and one person will be selected at random to present the trophy on the first day of the event.

Paul Theakston, managing director of the brewery, said: "We were delighted to be approached to present a trophy on the day. Although we would have loved to take the honour ourselves, we're sure there are many people who will be keen to step up and take a starring role."

The Great Yorkshire Show is the largest farming and country event in the North of England, attracting 120,000 visitors over three days. As well as the popular livestock sections there are ring displays, fashion shows, cookery demonstrations and show jumping.

Go to greatyorkshireshow.co.uk