TUG o' War is to be an annual feature of the Lanchester Show after it proved a popular addition to the itinerary at the weekend.

The revived show, back after its cancellation due to foot-and-mouth last year, was successfully restored to the country show calendar for its 50th anniversary year.

Held over the weekend at its usual venue at Newhouses Farm, on the outskirts of Lanchester, it featured most of the traditional elements of a country show except for cattle and sheep classes which remain a casualty of the lingering Defra restrictions.

Show organiser Carol Cliffe said the crowds rolled in all weekend and the many horse and dog classes helped to make up for the disappointment at the absence of the cattle and sheep.

"It's been a wonderful weekend, we're over the moon," said an exhausted Mrs Cliffe on Sunday night as the show site closed to the public.

"We've had thousands here over the weekend, but we'll not be certain just how many until our treasurer tallies up the figures."

A new feature was Saturday's Tug o' War challenge, won, fittingly, by the experienced Old Farmers team, captained by local farmer David Hopps, who won the champion rosette.

The competition attracted seven entries, and Mrs Cliffe said, given its popularity at the show, she plans to promote the event more widely to attract extra teams to take the strain next year.

A Welsh cob, Gerrig Unique, of Northwick Cobs, took the Supreme Champion horse title, while a bearded collie was top dog in the canine classes.