FARMERS from all over the North will converge on a dales village tomorrow to sniff bales of hay.

They will be competing for more than £400 in prize money at the 11th annual hay show to be held at the Cross Keys pub at Eastgate, in Weardale, County Durham.

The show, which was started by two local farmers betting on who had the best hay, attracted more than 70 entries last year, from as far afield as Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

It is established as one of the major social events in the agriculture calendar.

Farmers will compete in two classes - for old land and seed hay. There is also a special prize for the best presented hay.

Judges will have to decide which hay has the best smell and the best texture.

Paul Collinson, of the Cross Keys' Sunday Club, which organises the show, said: "Since it started 11 years ago, the show has really taken off in the number of farmers from all over the region who turn up. We are expecting a bumper crop of entries this year."

Judging starts at 1pm.