FARMERS from as far afield as Northumberland and North Yorkshire converged on a on a Weardale village pub at the weekend for the annual Eastgate hay show.

They braved blizzards to compete in the most memorable show in the 12 years of the event, which began over a bet between two Weardale farmers on who had the best hay.

Memorable because it attracted a record 85 entries, the show was also especially poignant for Eastgate farmer Tony Collinson, who took the prize for the best old land hay.

He received the Arnold Jopling Memorial Trophy, presented for the first time in memory of the highly-respected Weardale sheep farmer and breeder who died last year.

Mr Collinson had been an employee of Mr Jopling for 50 years.

He said: "This is a very special moment for me and my family. Apart from being my employer, Arnold was also a very good friend."

The trophy was presented by Mr Jopling's widow, Gladys.

The cup for the best seed hay in the show, staged at the Cross Keys, went to David Hill, from Ripon, North Yorshire, and the first prize in the young farmers' section went to Anthony Jopling, from Eastgate.

Hay judging took place in the pub car park in the middle of a snowstorm. Entries were judged on smell and texture.

In an auction after the show, Eastgate farmer Herbert Hutchinson, paid £150 for Tony Collinson's winning bale. Proceeds from the show will be divided between the two churches in the village.

Paul Collinson, of the Cross Keys' Sunday Club, which organised the show, said: "The weather was atrocious, but the number of entries was magnificent.